• Swindon & Wiltshire Social
• Wednesday July 2 2025

Training course born in pandemic made free for young people

A training course for young people which caught the eye of the national government during the pandemic lockdowns has been made free to reach as many jobseekers as possible.

Kickstart my Career was launched by strategic marketer Denise O’Leary, of Chippenham-based Purpol Marketing, in late 2020.

The government-funded online course offered young people at risk of long-term unemployment the chance to learn vital skills to land their first job.

Fifty young people signed up for the first tranche and helped to design and refine the content based on their own needs.

The course ultimately helped 229 people aged between 16 and 24 over a 22-month period.

Conducted remotely, one session even featured a visit by the then secretary of state for work and pensions, Thérèse Coffey.

But although the pandemic is behind us, many young people are still struggling to find work. Now Denise has decided to make the Kickstart my Career online course free
for “as many young people as possible.”

“A lot is said about how young people are struggling to access real-life work experience – something that became even harder during and after the pandemic,” explained Denise, who was awarded an MBE in 2022.

“Without those opportunities, many students feel unprepared for the world of work and unsure of where to begin.

“That’s why I’ve decided to make the ‘Kickstart My Career’ course freely available to schools and students.

“This isn’t a promotion – it’s a genuine offer from a business owner who wants to keep making a difference.

“Kickstart My Career has supported hundreds of students, providing practical tools and confidence to help them take their next steps – whether that’s into a job, apprenticeship, or further education.”

The course, which is suitable for young people aged 14+, covers:

• Understanding strengths and building a personal brand
• Writing CVs, cover letters, and professional emails
• Applying for jobs and handling rejection
• Interview skills using the STAR technique
• Communication, confidence, and expected workplace behaviours
• Using feedback, volunteering, and continuous development

The course is available at https://purpol-marketing-academy.thinkific.com/courses/Kickstart-my-career