Job Seekers RCT Job Club App Launched

An app for jobseekers looking to maximise their chances of getting back into work will be launched at Aberdare Job Centre on Monday 22^nd April from 9am.  Big Click RCT will be attending Job Centres throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf next week as part of a road-show designed to showcase the new app and encourage jobseekers to engage with digital technology. 

The RCT Job Club App is designed to be used on mobile phones, laptops and tablets to give job seekers access to information on job clubs in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area. It lists all the job clubs in the Local Authority area as well as providing useful tips on writing covering letters and CV’s. It is hoped that job centre customers will be able to use the app to find local support and highlight the importance of attending job clubs. 

The app was developed by RCT resident Robert Pengelly for Big Click as part of his work experience placement through Job Centre Plus. After completing his work placement, Robert continued to develop the app as a volunteer for Penrhys Partnership which hosts the Big Click project. Through his experience of developing the RCT Job Club App, Robert expanded on his already excellent progamming skills and plans to continue working with software development and hopes to create his own Operating System.

The app will be launched by Big Click RCT which is an initiative supported by Communities 2.0. Big Click RCT is designed to help individuals, groups and organisations get online in Rhondda Cynon Taf.  It offers a variety of opportunities to people wanting to do more with digital technologies. Big Click delivers stimulating and fun sessions aimed at increasing confidence using technology. Sessions include basic ICT, email and internet; mobile phones workshops, family ancestry, financial inclusion and digital photography. Part of its work sees staff and volunteers going into job clubs to show how people can use the internet to increase their chances of finding work.

BIG Click RCT is a partner of Get RCT Online - an umbrella campaign which supports and  encourages people to get online in the local area. Get RCT Online is a partnership of local and national digital inclusion projects. More information can be found at http://getrctonline.org.uk/.

Ben Treharne-Foose, Project Co-ordinator for Big Click RCT commented,

“Robert has done an excellent job in creating an app unique to the UK. We have designed the app to serve as a mini-job club because people are more likely to have a smartphone in their pocket than a computer in the home.  Providing opportunities to engage with technology in a variety of ways is key to our goal of reducing digital exclusion in RCT.”  

Further informatiingon can be found online on www.bigclickRCT.org.uk or www.rctJobClubs.co.uk
or by contact the Penrhys Partnership on 01443 755008.

The RCT Job Club app is free to download from Google Play for Android phones and can be accessed on other devices by visiting www.rctJobClubs.co.uk