Hard working young people who are turning their lives around have been recognised for achieving the skills and qualifications they need to progress on to college, an Apprenticeship or full-time employment.

National independent training provider Skills Training UK recently celebrated the success of 45 learners aged 16 to 24 at its Hounslow Centre in Holdsworth House, Staines Road, alongside local business leaders and other key partners.

Skills Training UK offers a Study Programme course and a range of Traineeships to young people who have few or no qualifications and many of whom face challenging circumstances in their personal lives. 

Each learner is supported to achieve vital qualifications in English and maths, as well as opportunities to learn new skills and take part in work experience with a local employer. 

Learners leave Skills Training UK with improved confidence and the right skills needed to move on to further education, an Apprenticeship or secure full-time employment.

Steven Mitchell, director of continuous improvement at Skills Training UK, who attended the Celebration Event, said: “Congratulations to all learners at our Hounslow Centre for their hard work and commitment. We are very proud to see the positive progress they have made since joining us, and to recognise how far they have come in such a short space of time. We wish them all the very best in their future career paths, wherever it may take them.

“Our programmes are encouraging social mobility by giving young people the very best chance to change their lives, with vital skills and meaningful opportunities that have the potential to lead to Apprenticeships, full-time employment or further education. Our all-inclusive, individual approach ensures every young person is supported to grow in confidence, develop employability skills and gain work experience that will help towards their CV.”

Learners were presented with certificates to acknowledge their progress, with some giving inspirational speeches on how Skills Training UK has helped to turn their lives around.

24 year-old Lewis Humphrey spoke at the Celebration Event about how Skills Training UK has helped him to achieve all he needs to pursue an Apprenticeship with Hounslow Council. 

“I’ve been with Skills Training UK for about four months and I have already achieved Level 2 qualifications in English and maths, and have completed a Traineeship in Business Administration,” he said.  

“I’ve learnt lots of skills in customer service and now I’m working towards an Apprenticeship with Hounslow Council, which I’m really looking forward to. I didn’t do too well at school but I’ve got so many options now and I’ve made some great friends along the way. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Skills Training UK.”

Skills Training UK’s Hounslow Centre, based at Holdsworth House on Staines Road, has a positive environment for learners to grow and develop skills in communication, teamwork and employability as well as gain qualifications in English, maths and ICT. 

The centre is supported by a network of strong partnerships with employers, schools, local authorities and other organisations such as Jobcentre Plus, who help the learners take their first steps towards employment or continued learning.

Taj Adrien Cameron, store manager at New Look in the Hounslow Treaty Centre, who spoke at the event about the importance of supporting young people in the local community, said: “Since New Look opened in the Treaty Centre last summer, we have developed a close relationship with Skills Training UK and have been supporting learners with work experience placements and interview practice.

“I think it’s really important to give back to the community and to provide opportunities to young people, whatever their background. It’s not about where they have come from, it’s about their future and we’re proud to support anyone who has the motivation to turn their life around.”  

For more information about Skills Training UK visit www.skillstraininguk.com.

Article supplied by Joe Tye