Published at 12:21, Tuesday, 21 August 2012

YOUNG people have told how 22-week training courses have helped them build their confidence to take the next steps in their careers.

SUCCESS: Jodie Minnican and Ashley Clark at Burlington House MILTON HAWORTH REF: 50037430B004

Nacro in Barrow runs the Foundation Learning Programme for 16 to 19-year-olds.

The charity offers qualifications in catering and hospitality, childcare, sport and the world of work. The courses are accredited by the Open College Network and are from entry level to diploma one. They are taught throughout the year.

Nacro is a crime reduction charity, but the organisation also works with non-offenders, such as through the Foundation Learning Programme.

The learning scheme aims to help any young person gain qualifications alongside life skills. It has been a good stepping-stone for teenagers who need to upgrade their functional skills, in the subjects of English, maths and ICT, and build confidence in young people who may need more support with their studies, so they can then progress to higher level study.

The charity, based in Burlington House, in Michaelson Road, works with other organisations such as Inspira, JobCentre Plus and schools.

Students who have recently completed courses are moving on to places at Furness College, Barrow Sixth Form College and Myerscough College.

Catering and hospitality students have prepared buffets for business meetings and take part in placements in Nacros’s Youth Cafe. They also learn about budgeting.

Ashley Clark, 17, of Barrow, came to Nacro part-time during Year 10 and 11 doing maths and English, and he has completed the catering and hospitality certificate.

He said: “It’s a good course at Nacro. You can be yourself, and people are here to help. It’s helped with my confidence.

“I’m going to Furness College to do a Level Two in catering and hospitality. I feel good about getting a place.

“I want to be a chef, and I’m trying to get into the Army to be a chef.

“It would mean a lot to me.

“I’ll miss it here, but I’ moving to bigger opportunities.”

Jodie Minnican, 18, of Barrow, has also completed the catering and hospitality certificate level and now moves onto a diploma in the subject with Nacro, before hoping to get a career in hospitality. Jodie had left it too late to join a college course and Inspira but her in touch with Nacro.

She said: “I get on with everyone. All the tutors are very supportive, they listen to what you have to say and are there to help. I like the environment here, you can talk to your tutors.

“I’ve gained confidence in speaking to new people and my maths has got better here.

“I don’t want to leave, but I feel positive about getting a job.”

June Simpson, a Nacro foundation learning tutor, said: “We encourage young people to search for their goals and aspire for something. They also learn team skills and life skills, and we look at money management and budgeting.

“We see young people who are not so sure of themselves, and by the time they leave they are achieving so much more than they thought they could.

“You watch them grow up. It’s really nice.

“Our goal is for them to progress, gain confidence and move on to bigger and better things.”

Nacro held an open day event on Friday to promote its courses.

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