STEP

STEP (Support Training and Enterprise Programme) is one of the longest established signature programmes run by YMCA Ireland. As a second chance education programme it uses youth work methodologies to help young people develop a number of soft skills as well as helping them to explore further education opportunities. STEP operates in Letterkenny, Dublin City Centre, Cork, Ballincollig and Cobh.

What are STEP's objectives?

To assist young people in the 17-25 age group who have left school with few or no qualifications to progress into employment or further education

To provide a certified QQI programme at Level 4 in Employment Skills or General Learning

To provide a range of activities that build - promote self-confidence and resilience

To promote active citizenship

What were some of the positive outcomes for young people/ staff/volunteers as a result of your programme during the past year?

YMCA STEP focuses in the first place on on the personal development of the learners, followed by the skills development. STEP is committed to meeting the changing needs of the learners and constantly innovates to ensure that its learners have the best possible learning. The use of 3D printing and developing employer partnerships as innovations helps keep the programme up to date and relevant to the users.

Nine out of ten young people who complete more than 75% of the programme go into education, training and employment.

There continues to be consistently positive feedback from young people with over 95% rating the programme 7.5 on a scale of 1-10

A number of partnerships with companies such as Stryker in Cork and Goshawk Air Leasing in Dublin has led to positive outcomes for our learners

Interview with a young person who completed STEP.

What has STEP been like for you?

I had no education before coming here, so just getting into a routine, back into the work was really important. All of the activities were brilliant, drew everyone closer, and I’ve made some good friends from STEP.

What was life life for you this time last year?

I had no education, I was on the dole, there wasn’t much going for me. I also had depression as well, so I wasn’t in a good place. I wasn’t in a good routine. So I basically knew I had to do something, and this course just came up, by mistake really. I heard about it online, and I just emailed the coordinator and it started from there. It has helped me develop in many ways over the year.

What are some of those ways?

It’s helped me get more confidence, obviously, getting back into education has been great for me. Going on to college has given me the chance to progress in my life and has gotten me out of a bad routine that I was in. I’ll be doing Cultural and Heritage studies in Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, I’m really looking forward to it now and to moving up.

How would you describe your life now a year later?

I’ve got a lot more future opportunities, I’m looking forward for the future. It’s given me direction that I never had, it really has changed everything for me. I really am looking forward to the future, probably for the first time in my life.

A copy of the Operational Report for STEP in 2017 is available here