Gain leading industry certifications
Since 2018, Peoples Place Community Partnerships (PPCP), alongside Elizabeth House Community Centre, have been working together to support young people into employment through a flexible training and work experience programme. 21st Century Skills (21CS) is our tried and tested community-based employability solution targeting young people who are disadvantaged, with low qualifications, no network, unemployed or economically inactive.
The purpose of the programme is to use technology to address social issues such as the digital skills gap among young people, local unemployment, aspirational and in-work poverty. Through practical work-placements, featuring our very own technical call centre, providing remote IT support to businesses and residents, participants develop technical and essential soft skills to compete successfully in today’s job market.
21CS has consistently proven to significantly increase the employment chances and potential of its participants who face significant barriers into sustainable employment. It provides personalised skills-to-job training and real-world work experiences, working with grassroots voluntary and community organisations and local businesses to help and support residents who lack IT and digital knowledge or industry professional experience.
Embark on a captivating narrative as we recount our first-hand experience delving into the world of fintech innovation with Finastra. pic.twitter.com/eE5sHBf7Z7
— Peoples Place Community Partnerships (@PeoplesPlaceCP) March 4, 2024
Thank you @klaviyo for hosting a wonderful Insight Day!
— London Youth (@LondonYouth) August 4, 2023
It was a great opportunity for young people to hear more about Klaviyo’s role in eCommerce and the Tech Sector, learn LinkedIn skills and interview techniques & get advice on how to get into the sector themselves. pic.twitter.com/n5XJq65cca
😃 Tech, Tea & Biscuits - The perfect blend! 🍵
— Peoples Place Community Partnerships (@PeoplesPlaceCP) February 5, 2024
Is more than just a catchy name - it's a program that's making a real-life impact and difference to the lives of its residents in the heart of our local communities. This program is all about bridging the generation gap and helping… pic.twitter.com/9iovmJ0LzW
Zak (19) joined 21CS due to its ability to provide an in-person vocational training experience like no other. He has secured his first job as an ICT Engineer.
David (21) is a well known face at Elizabeth House – he’s been coming to the centre since a young child! A paid placement with 21CS helped David secure his first full time job.
Jardel (22), with no prior experience in IT, graduated from 21CS with 3 exams and a paid work placement. He now has a full-time job in the IT industry.
Andre (23) is currently going through his 21CS journey, and is currently undertaking a Work Placement at Hilldrop Community Centre.
Fadi kickstarted his career as an IT Engineer with Intelligent Technologies, before progressing onto Janus Henderson Investors in November 2025.
Emad (26) is on his 21CS journey to move into Data Analytics, having taken the Excel Expert exam, and is currently working with PowerBI.
Aarafat (23), having passed two Microsoft Technical exams, is now in a work placement scheme as part of a 21CS pilot scheme.
Usmaan (23) completed his MTA Exams before undertaking a Kickstart placement and then moving into full-time employment.
Tanvir (24) graduated from the 21CS programme as an Adobe Certified Professional in Photoshop.
Burak (24) graduated the 21CS programme going from IT Beginner to Junior IT Professional in just 8 weeks.
Afeez is currently going through his 21CS journey, having just taken his first Microsoft Exam in December 2020.
Opu has completed his 21CS journey. We’re pleased to announce that he works as a full time IT professional in Canary Wharf, London.
@21stcenturyskills To join 21CS copy the link in the comments:
♬ original sound - 21st Century Skills
@21stcenturyskills Top 3 Tips To Smash Your Interviews #fyp #fypage #interview #tips ♬ original sound - 21st Century Skills
Seema's Story
Seema joined the 21CS programme and passed her Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam in December 2019. She then went on to successfully start her new role, as an administrative assistant, in central London.
“During my time on the IT and Digital traineeship programme I have been able to advance my Microsoft Word skills and have become a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS). This has become very useful in my current job whereby I am able to work faster and more efficiently. The programme has not only helped me with my IT skills but has given me confidence and guidance when approaching the world of work.”
– Seema A (Admissions Advisor)
Resad (22) started work as a Data Analyst in May 2021, Findexable rank all cities worldwide where there’s a cluster of fintech companies.
Congrats to Hannah (23) who demonstrated her IT skills in Microsoft Excel by certifying as a Microsoft Office Specialist in June 2021.
Great work Emad (24) who developed his IT skills to springboard into a cybersecurity role starting at Possible Technologies in July 2021.
Expanding his IT knowledge and skillset, Ryan passed his MTA Windows Server Administration Fundamentals exam in June 2021.
Huge congratulations to Shakil who started his new Job|Career|Life today (01/12/2021) as an IT Professional @LABS_Worldwide. We are so very proud and wish him all the very best!
Continuing his journey, Raj passed his MTA Windows Server Administration Fundamentals exam in June 2021, and has since gone onto work as an IT professional in the NHS
Tamanna (21) heard about the programme through a friend and came along to study for a Microsoft Office Specialist Excel exam to help her in her career, passing her exam with flying colours in July-20.
The team at Elizabeth House unveil the new solar panel display artwork designed by 21CS student Sameer. He has successfully passed qualifications in Adobe and Microsoft and is currently applying for apprenticeships.
After passing his Microsoft exam, Hanif progressed into the IT industry working for a company providing tech services and solutions to leading brands in retail and hospitality worldwide.
Benan's message...
Benan (23) joined the GenXt project with no previous IT experience in May 2019, after failing to find work from university. Life looks very different now for our young student since passing his first Microsoft exam, in a record 10 weeks. He started work as a Junior IT Professional in July 2019 and has gone onto successfully pass his probation into full time employment as a IT support engineer for an academic instition based in central London.
Since joining in Oct 2019, Sameer has taken his MTA, Adobe Certified Expert, and Google Analytics exams and is now looking to take an apprenticeship role in the creative industry.
Tish (22) undertook her Microsoft MTA Windows 10 Operating System Fundamentals accreditation, and is now working towards a qualification in Cisco computer Networking.
Having already expressed a keen interest in programming, Ali was referred to 21CS by a friend and passed his MTA Windows 10 exam in July-20.
Abdul's Story
Abdul joined the GenXt project with no IT qualifications or experience. After passing his first Microsoft exam, he started work as Junior IT Professional in April 2019. As an IT field engineer he spends his days travelling around the Greater London area visting clients sites.
Raj has been working in the IT industry and joined the 21CS project to up-skill, and has attained his Microsoft Technical Associate examination.
Taking advantage of the time offered during lockdown and availability of online 21CS sessions, Koyes worked hard to successfully pass his Microsoft exam in June-20.
Molly (21) undertook an office admin work experience placement at Elizabeth House, gaining valuable insight into the industry.
Adil passed his MTA whilst providing valuable on-site technical support to Elizabeth House, since going on to undertake his first role in the IT industry.
A 21st century education, skills-to-job-training, careers development company delivering tech-based employability solutions in the heart of local communities. Read more…
Hamza joined 21CS project in December 2019, passing his Microsoft Technical Associate (MTA) Windows Operating System Fundamentals exam in February 2020.
With the MOS Word exam already under her belt, Seema returned to the 21CS Project to undertake the Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate qualification, passing in December 2020.
Already working in the IT industry, Seth joined 21CS through word of mouth and was looking to upskill. Seth passed his MTA Windows Server Administration Fundamentals in August 2020.
Francis (19) joined the 21CS project and passed his Microsoft Technical Associate (MTA) exam in December 2019. He has since returned to university.
Mohammed
Mohammed joined the GenXt project in January 2019, and took his Microsoft Technical Associate Exam in July 2019.
Emre
Emre passed his MTA exam then gained real-world exposure to an MSP through PPCP, honing his communication & technical skills in the process.
Mohammed
Mohammed used the skills he learned through his MTA and on-site support of Elizabeth House to earn himself a job at a UK-wide data analytics company.
Testimonial
“Content and presentation by the facilitators was consistently high quality and engaging. Most importantly, each session provided an excellent review of the challenges and opportunities inherent in each area – while challenging us to clarify and to find our own answers. I feel that all the techniques used, the methods, the videos/whiteboard were extremely good. … It is great to have PPCP facilitators with so much energy. I felt challenged and consistently drawn into the exercises and presentations had my full attention due to the way in which they were conducted.
Challenging programme effectively carried through. participants with broad experience helped to enrich the discussions in a very positive way…. There are many useful things I am taking home from this training and I am appreciative of this opportunity to learn from such a diverse team.
Thanks a lot!!” – Raj P
21CS is proud to be funded by our benefactors – Thank you for all your invaluable support
