Benefits and Employability

What are the benefits of doing the Leap for University and Employability?
It is likely that with the substantial cost of tuition fees in England that less people will opt for higher education and more will start working after school.

It is going to become even more competitive to secure a place at university or employment (pre or post university) and more relevant than ever to either do an Internship (specific work experience) or Volunteering (life skills) to allow your son or daughters’ CV to stand out, but crucially to prepare them for the World of Work.

Employers find it hard to distinguish from the very many similar CV’s and applicants and what they are looking for are people who can demonstrate that they either have the experience or soft/life skills that enable them to hit ‘the ground running’ – individuals who will be productive for their businesses from day one.

A Leap placement will offer your son or daughter this advantage. We will provide them with certification and confirmation of skills achieved as well as personal references on request.

University or Further Education
It is a very competitive market and we know from first hand feedback that Universities rate those who have done some structured work overseas helping them develop skills for life.  The Leap will take your child out of his/her comfort zone and present them with challenges, which will directly improve/train their soft skills (listed below).

Universities like young people who have taken worthwhile time out as they feel they return:

•    Fresh

•    Mature

•    Had the chance to perhaps learn a relevant language 

•    Strong participants/contributors 

•    Essentially very likely to commit to completing their degree (very important for the universities finances).

“…….. an experience that enables a young adult to immerse themselves in a different culture, to deal with challenges and return more confident and mature can only be beneficial".  Celia Brayfield - University Lecturer

“Rosie and Lara have had the most wonderful 10 weeks…they have been challenged physically and mentally. They have done a vast array of very different tasks and projects, all of which have been completely outside their previous experience and they have immersed themselves in Cambodian life. I know Rosie's outlook on life has broadened immensely and this experience I'm sure will have its impact when she takes future life decisions". Mrs Cornick

Employers – Getting a Job
Employers like young people who have taken structured and constructive time out as they will be able to demonstrate developed soft skills in the work place:

•    Drive, initiative
 & resourcefulness
•    Teamwork 
and leadership
•    independence and confidence
•    Decision making and time management
•    Coping with pressure and deadlines
•    Improving social skills (public speaking, teaching)
•    Communication 

•    Analytical (budgeting, fundraising, financial control, planning & research)

•    Commitment (completing projects and overcoming obstacles & challenges)
•    Languages (perhaps)
•    Resilience, self motivation and problem solving
•    Good organisation

Soft skills such as these developed through a challenging experience such as volunteering or internships abroad will make your son or daughter more mature, more enthusiastic about life, effective contributors and real committers.

Clearly those that choose an Intern placement in addition to the above general life skills will gain valuable specific work experience in their chosen career be that: teaching, care, medicine, law, journalism/media and business (hospitality & tourism).

We would be delighted to write a reference for your son or daughter to describe how and what they learnt from the Leap experience and will provide them with a certificate outlining the skills they have developed which will positively enhance their CV and employment prospects.

“…….. it is essential that young adults entering the workplace understand the importance of ‘soft skills’, firstly in obtaining employment and subsequently succeeding in their chosen careers". Charles Money-Kyrle, Managing Director.