Youngsters get a first taste of working life

Many young people from Fleetwood and other parts of Wyre are still missing out on opportunities for work, training and full time college courses.
Apprentice day at Milton Street Community Centre.Apprentice day at Milton Street Community Centre.
Apprentice day at Milton Street Community Centre.

But an event was staged in Fleetwood to try and tackle this issue and bring various groups together for the first time.

More than 100 young people aged between 16 and 24 attended the drop-in event called Steps to Success, at Milton Street Community 
Centre.

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And they were able to talk to representatives from more than 30 training and apprenticeship providers, potential employers and college course leaders.

Sammy McDonagh and John Reynolds with Roberta Austin and Danny Rossie of B&FCSammy McDonagh and John Reynolds with Roberta Austin and Danny Rossie of B&FC
Sammy McDonagh and John Reynolds with Roberta Austin and Danny Rossie of B&FC

There were chances to try hands-­on activities such as bricklaying and army assault courses, to give people a feel for practical training, and Fleetwood Football Community Trust were there to offer advice on how to get into football coaching.

The session was organised by Lancashire County Council’s Wellbeing, Prevention and Early Help Service, working in partnership with the Job Centre for the first time.

One of the young people attending the session was 19 year old Callum Smith, of Lindel Road, Fleetwood, who said: “I have found this day very useful. At the moment I am just on Jobseekers’ Allowance but I want to get into work.

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“I am now looking at several options including the possibility of getting involved in contruction and also going to college. It’s helped me realise there are opportunities out there for me.”

Kasin Hughes with Linda Aiken of B&FC Gaming AcademyKasin Hughes with Linda Aiken of B&FC Gaming Academy
Kasin Hughes with Linda Aiken of B&FC Gaming Academy

Tracey McNamara, one of the organisers from the Wellbeing, Prevention and Early Help Service, said: “By working in partnership with the Job Centre for the first time, we have been able to link up young people with the different agencies who can open up opportunities for them.”

One such organisation is Build Up, part of Blackpool and The Fylde College’s School of Construction, which has provided around 4,500 jobs for young Fylde coast people in the last eight years.

Roberta Austin, Build Up manager, said: “Today we have seen young people we would not otherwise have seen, it’s been a great opportunity for us and for these young people.”