Rating

7/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • I am a team mentor, so I am in charge of a large group of 15-17 year olds. I lead group activities and am on hand for any help that the young people need. It is a 4 week programme, with the first 2 weeks being residential activities and talks, and the last 2 weeks raising money and/or awareness for a chosen charity. We are in charge of their safety and risk assessments.

    8/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • I have learnt how to cope under pressure and how to continue to be enthusiastic despite being tired. I have always gained more confidence in interacting with the young people and the other staff. I have learnt that even though I can be 'cool' and laid back with the kids, when I need to be firmer and authoritative, I can be.

    9/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • I have really enjoyed my programme. It's been great working with a group of young people for 4 weeks and seeing how they have developed and gained more confidence in such a short space of time. It has helped that there has been a strong support network on hand when there have been work or personal issues. The first week was a lot more hectic than I imagined it would be, but overall I have thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely take part in it again.

    8/10

  • 4. How valued do you feel by NCS?
  • I feel very valued from my team leader, as she has believed in my abilities to lead sessions on my own and take the lead with some of the organization and paperwork. We get daily messages from the wave leader and head of events thanking us for all our hard work, so I feel valued in that sense.

    7/10

  • 5. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • There is definitely room for improvement when it comes to organisation. Prior to the programme starting, all staff could have had more information and guidance on the itinerary and who was in our group etc. More liaison needed to take place between NCS and the first 2 weeks' organizations (the activity camp and the student accomodation), and there was a lot of faff and missing things which meant that the first day didn't go smoothly.

    5/10

  • 6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?
  • We received a lot of training prior to the programme, and there is a wave manager and welfare manager on the programme with us, and we can also contact the head office - so there is a lot of support on hand if/when we need it, and even when we don't need it, there is always information on where to find the managers if we just need a chat or need some guidance.

    7/10

  • 6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • We received a lot of training prior to the programme, and there is a wave manager and welfare manager on the programme with us, and we can also contact the head office - so there is a lot of support on hand if/when we need it, and even when we don't need it, there is always information on where to find the managers if we just need a chat or need some guidance.

    7/10

  • 7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?
  • We haven't really had to pay for anything whilst on the programme, so living costs aren't really an issue. However, with regards to the general salary, I don't think it takes into account the hours we work in the first 2 weeks, as it is not simply 9-5, as we have to be on night duty some nights, and make sure that they are awake and come to breakfast before activities start.

    6/10

  • 8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?
  • Not really, as you are so tired at the end of each week that you don't really have the energy to do anything! However, working on the social action plans in the final 2 weeks has meant that we've come into contact with venues and charities which may be used in the future.

    6/10

  • 9. Would you recommend NCS to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 9b. Why?
  • It is so rewarding as you get to see how the young people grow and gain skills and confidence in a 4 week period, and you yourself gain and strengthen so many skills that you wouldn't necessarily get in a retail job for example. Plus it is a bonus that it is only for 4 weeks, so is a nice job in the summer as it leaves another month for other things.


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NCS?
  • Be confident on the telephone interview and really highlight any experience you have with kids or young people, and be vocal on the training days as it'll mean you're more likely to get the role of team leader. The head office will always reply to you if you have any questions or need to change dates so contact them if needed!


Details

Work Experience

Hospitality Management

South West

July 2017


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