TWO work creation schemes for Tees valley youngsters have started to bear fruit in an area last week singled out in a survey as the most vulnerable in England to the effects of austerity measures.
The success of the schemes providing apprenticeships for young people was highlighted just days after the Redcar and Cleveland was singled out in research by Experian as the most vulnerable to public sector cuts.
The 16-year-old inaugral winner of an ongoing scheme providing career skills to young people has started work with Redcar housing and regeneration firm Coast & Country, which ran the initiative.
In addition another scheme in Redcar to encourage apprenticeships has secured its 100th success, despite only being launched in April.
It comes as an additional 1,000 new jobs have been created in the district by Sahaviriya Steel Industries UK (SSI) £291m purchase of the
former Teesside Cast Products plant and a further 700 jobs preserved.
Adam Pearce, who attended Laurence Jackson School in Guisborough, has started an electrical apprenticeship with Coast & Country after winning its inaugural Future Leaders initiative in 2010.
Under Future Leaders, scores of students from schools, in the Redcar and Cleveland area, were set a series of challenges during the course of a year, including an outward bound course where team leadership and organisational skills were assessed.
They also became involved in a series of projects, including community centre makeovers and the creation of patios and other amenities in residential areas.
Adam, who gained 10 GCSEs, said: "You get the best of both worlds as an apprentice - going to college and getting practical experience at the same time. You also earn while you learn.
"It was fantastic to win, but, even if I hadn't, all that I learnt during the competition would have stood me in good stead for the future. All those who took part went away with life-enhancing skills."
The scheme has been repeated this year with Liam Duke, a pupil at Redcar Community College, being crowned the winner.
The 15-year-old will start as a Grounds Maintenance Apprentice with Coast & Country, which is responsible for managing the former housing stock of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, when he leaves school next year.
Iain Sim, Chief Executive of Coast & Country, said: "In this age, when unemployment is so high, particularly with our young people it is really important to recognise that young people are our future and it is important to raise their aspirations, help them acquire skills that will make them attractive to employers, and make them aware of the wider community by getting involved in projects to improve their local environment."
Apprentice Michael Duckworth is the 100th young person to secure an apprenticeship with the support of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council's Routes to Employment team since April.
Michael, of Guisborough, is now working as a sales representative with the North Yorkshire Brewing Company at Pinchinthorpe.
The team has worked with employers and training providers in a variety of sectors to create the opportunities, with a £125,000 grant scheme - supported by the NHS - funding half of the apprentices placed to date.
Michael said: "I have been volunteering in this role for seven months, but the grant from the Council enabled my employer to offer me this apprenticeship, which includes training to develop my skills further.
Councillor Mark Hannon, the council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: "Our Routes to Employment service does a fantastic job in providing young people with the chance to get a foot on the career ladder."
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