Speke Garston Education Action Zone (EAZ) and Parklands City Learning Centre (CLC) developed this project in response to local employers' concerns about the poor performance of school leavers at interview. Further investigation showed that as well as developing interview skills and techniques, young people would need help to improve their self-confidence, self-esteem and aspirations.

The project was initially piloted in 2002 with a group of 15 students in Year 11 at St Benedict's College. A year later the sponsoring company, ScottishPower Learning, delivered it to 12 Skills Seekers' trainers.

In 2004 the programme model was refined, ready for schools to reproduce and embed into their activities.

• To raise students' expectations, aspirations and attainment
• To improve students' confidence, motivation and personal responsibility
• To improve students' literacy and ICT skills
• To provide opportunities for students to develop improved employability skills
• To support transition into employment
• To ensure that all participants had a current CV and an ICT-based interactive CV

• Students in Years 11-13 Curriculum links
• Careers
• Communication skills
• English
• ICT
• PSHE and Citizenship

• Connexions
• Jobs, Education and Training (JET)
• Parklands City Learning Centre
• ScottishPower Learning