Community Learning and Development Device Fund 2023 (360G-SCVO-a13N2000002vCPuIAM)

Dundee has the lowest level of engagement in Scotland from young people in any provision (education, training, employment). We see first hand how growing up in poverty can create lifelong consequences. They present dealing with multiple challenges rooted in poverty, homelessness, care experience, family dysfunction, mental health problems, substance misuse and crime. The most vulnerable have experienced trauma, adverse childhood experiences, living in a dysfunctional and/or jobless households. Some are involved in risk-taking activities including drug and alcohol misuse, anti-social activities and at risk of offending. Without support, these challenges make it extremely difficult for young people to engage in learning and employment. Hopelessness pervades their thinking, the young people we support believe that no matter how hard they try, their life will amount to nothing. Unfortunately, this is often the place we are starting from to build their confidence that they can succeed. 4 in 5 roles require digital skills and 92% of employers expect basic digital skills. However, their lack of digital access, skills and confidence is a key barrier to entry to the world of work and our objective is to reduce as many barriers as we can. The pandemic and cost of living crisis has widened the inequality we have seen in this area. Whilst many have phones, they may not have internet at home or don’t have enough data to do more than chat with friends. Accessing training opportunities online or looking for jobs is not possible. They also tell us they don’t have the confidence to walk into a library by themselves to get digital access/support. We will utilise the laptops, phones and tablets to enable every service that we deliver for young people. As part of our employability training sessions, they will use laptops to create cvs, to search and to apply for learning/apprentice opportunities and jobs and complete qualifications. As part of life skills training, they learn about internet usage and safety, how to budget and communicating online. In our housing project, our staff support care experienced young people to contact government agencies (DWP, etc), Health providers, Utilities companies, Local Authorities and to apply for relevant grants and funding/emergency support. Whilst some of this can be done face to face/on calls it also requires an understanding how to find information online and to complete forms digitally. The phones and spheros will be used for specific digital skills lessons. On the phones they will learn how to take and edit photos and videos on apps. With the spheros they will be introduced to coding, programming and robotics.Even where the majority of their experience may be practical learning there are digital requirements. Our vocational learning centre garage Helm Autocare has a dedicated microsite for customer bookings. Using the tablets young people will learn how tomanage bookings digitally, manage the calendar, undertake customer service/admin tasks, service walk arounds, inspections and record customer car details and actions. All the learning on these devices will be vital for accessing future opportunities.