Six young people celebrated the completion of their Pathways to Employment placements at Cumbria County Council when the council's Chairman, Jim Webster presented them with NVQ certificates.
The six young people, all aged 16-20, have spent the last year working in different areas of the council's Strategy and Performance directorate employed as administrative assistants.
Michelle Sowerby from Carlisle - Community Division
Carly Storey from Aspatria - Director's Support Unit
Matthew Bell from Brampton - Area Support Office
Kayleigh Barnes from Carlisle - Gillford Centre
Michael Johnstone from Carlisle - Upperby CDC
Marie Steel from Longtown - Upperby CDC
The Youth Pathways to Employment Programme places trainees within the Council and Voluntary Sector for twelve months. They then work towards an NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration along with a range of other qualifications offered to them while gaining valuable work experience. The scheme presents an excellent opportunity to young people and gives them a headstart in gaining future employment.
They have all successfully completed their NVQ as well as studying towards the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and OCR Word Processing & Text Processing Qualification, and have attended a one-day course in Emergency Basic First Aid. Since they came to the end of their placements on 5th April, Kayleigh Barnes has been employed with the Gillford Centre and Michelle Sowerby is going to work with Carlisle City Council’s Planning Department.
Cumbria County Council, Chairman Jim Webster says:
"I congratulate everyone on successfully completing the programme. The qualifications and experience will be important to them as they look for jobs. The scheme provides an excellent opportunity for young people but it is also a benefit to the council. These young people have proved a real asset over the last year and it is wonderful to see their hard work rewarded."