FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is FOLM?
FOLM stands for “From Outdoors to the Labour Market”. It is an outdoor personal development programme which aims to help young people who are 18-29 years of age to return to full-time employment, education and training.
2. What is Outdoors Learning?
Outdoor Learning is where participants engage with nature and the environment around them. Outdoor learning provides another lens to view yourself. This is done by participants immersing themselves in nature for a week. The daily themes of our expeditions help to explore yourself along with other people. You form a close-knit community while out in nature and the best part of outdoor learning is the fun and games!
3. What does coaching and mentoring involve?
The coaching and mentoring help progress the skills you learn in the outdoor learning phase into your everyday life. When you recognise a strong skill on the mountain, the coaches and mentors help you see how you can use this skill in a future workplace. The coaching and mentoring helps to prepare you to find jobs, look at education and apply for training.
4. How long the process is for each participant?
The process can vary depending on different factors but the current length of commitment to the programme is roughly 8 months. This can be broken down into 3 phases.
1st Phase: Recruitment and Engagement: 1-2 weeks (2 meetings before OL).
2nd Phase: Outdoor Learning: 1 week (on the mountain for 7 days).
3rd Phase: Coaching: 5-6 weeks (Meetings twice a week for a few hours).
4th Phase: Mentoring: (Meeting once a month for 6 months via call/skype).
5. Can I do the coaching sessions but not the outdoor learning programme?
No, you cannot. We strongly advise you to do the outdoor learning, as this is where the magic happens. You make great friends and see some incredible views. Besides you won’t know if you like something until you try it.
REGISTRATION
1. How can I sign up?
You can register via this website and click on the button "Book your place". Contact us via our social media channels at @folm_project. You can also send us an e-mail to the address or call the phone numbers you have given in the selected countries.
SPAIN
Telephone:
+34 648 101539 / + 34 608 786 538
E-mail:
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POLAND
Telephone:
(89) 535 87 25
E-mail:
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IRELAND
Telephone:
+353 504 28114 / +353 858048842
E-mail:
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Our social media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/folm_project/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOLM2018
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FOLM18
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPANTS
1. I live in another country; can I apply to this project?
Currently, the project is being recruited in three regions: Mid West in Ireland, Cantabria in Spain and Varmia and Mazuria in Poland. To take part in the project you must declare that you live in one of these regions.
2. I live in the area covered by the FOLM but I am not a citizen of this country. Can I take part?
Yes, as long as you have the right to live and work in the region you are applying for FOLM in to be eligible. Mid West in Ireland, Cantabria in Spain or Varmia and Mazuria in Poland.
3. I will be 18 during the programme. Can I still apply?
Yes, you can sign up when you are under 18, but you must be over 18 when you start the programme.
4. Do I need to be fit to take part?
No, we facilitate for people of all levels of fitness. All you need to be able to do is walk while carrying a backpack and a smile. There are parts that can be challenging but we are there to help you through it. The smile is for when you achieve your goals.
5. I work part time, can I still apply?
Yes, you can still apply if you work part-time. As long as you can take time off to attend the Outdoor Learning part and can attend the coaching and mentoring sessions too.
WHAT WILL I GET?
1. Will I receive a certificate after I have completed FOLM?
Yes, you will receive a certificate of completion once you have completed the full programme. This is great to add to your CV for future interviews.
2. What skills will I learn from FOLM?
The amount of skills you will learn from FOLM is immeasurable. We can list a few to begin with though; resilience, self-confidence, time-management, leadership, navigation, teamwork, environmental conscience, etc.
3. Will I get a job at the end of FOLM?
We will help guide you through the process of applying for jobs and help you work on your CV. While we cannot guarantee you a job, having completed this programme you will be in a far better place to acquire a job. In outdoor terms, when crossing a small river, it’s a lot easier cross it with someone’s help than by doing it alone. FOLM is that helping hand. A growing number of businesses across each partner country are recognising the completion of the FOLM programme.
OTHER QUESTIONS
1. What equipment do I need to bring with me?
You will just need your own spare clothes (t-shirts, trousers, jumpers, underwear), a pair of shoes, toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, etc.). After this we will provide all the other items from the backpack, sleeping bag, ground mat, tent, socks, hiking boots, stove, food and good fun!
2. Can I leave FOLM? If I do it, are there any consequences?
You are free to leave FOLM at any point. We may check in on you to see if you are doing ok, but joining this programme is totally up to you, just as leaving the programme is too.
3. How many people are in a group?
There are 10 people in each group.
4. What will we eat? Where will we sleep? Do I bring my own food and equipment?
There is a selection of food you can choose from. You will be cooking your own meals, so if you are a picky eater not too worry, you decide what you eat. We sleep in tents outdoors and we provide the food and equipment needed on the mountain. There is no need to worry if you have never camped outside before.
5. What about hygiene?
You can stay clean and hygienic while being outdoors. The only difference is instead of water out of a tap, it comes directly from a river. You are able to clean yourself, teeth and pots from this water source. It just needs to be done in a leave no trace manner so you do not harm the environment. We always have little bottles of hand sanitiser if you are not near a river to clean off any germs.
COLLABORATING ENTITIES
1. How can my organization get involved in the FOLM project?
You can register via this website and click on the button "Book your place". Contact us via our social media channels at @folm_project. You can also send us an e-mail to the address or call the phone numbers you have given in the selected countries.
SPAIN
Telephone:
+34 648 101539 / + 34 608 786 538
E-mail:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
POLAND
Telephone:
(89) 535 87 25
E-mail:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
IRELAND
Telephone:
+353 504 28114 / +353 858048842
E-mail:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our social media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/folm_project/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOLM2018
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FOLM18
2. What requirements do I have to get my organization involved?
All you need is the interest and drive to get involved, along with becoming a FOLM platform user. Where you can advertise jobs to our FOLM participants.
3. What skills do FOLM participants have that would benefit my organisation’?
They show skills of resilience, adaptability, confidence, leadership, teamwork, time-management and many other skills which are proven and tested when living in the wild for 7 days and completing the coaching and mentoring programme.
4. What influence on the project can my organization have on FOLM participants?
Your organization can help provide young people with a great future and you will have enthusiastic and motivated workers.