14/4/2008New Hope Kickstarts Careers
FOUR men are about to be part of the first graduate group of 2nd Chance Apprentices.
David Hughes, Paul Morton, Paul McAuley and Bruce Hunter were all finding it difficult to get their careers started, until they found North Lanarkshire's 2nd Chance programme.
The programme provides them with a 13 week training course and a real three year apprenticeship in their chosen trades - as part of an opportunity for those who missed out when they left school.
Now running for three years, the programme has trained 150 in all sorts of trades.
It targets adults between 18-24 who have slipped through the net the first time around.
For a number of them, it is their last chance for a sustainable job and career in construction.
Competition for apprenticeship places is fierce every year - in the three years up to 2006, applications made to the Construction Industry Training Board in the West of Scotland was 4000, 5000 and 6500.
With 840, 910 and 1038 successfully getting an apprenticeship this leaves a large pool of untapped talent.
Since 2005, 2nd Chance has found apprenticeships for 82 Lanarkshire residents in an area where unemployment is traditionally high.
The initial college course lasts 13 weeks and consist of a range of trade tasters and Health and Safety.
If appropriate, trainees can also be supported with Literacy or Numeracy needs.
They will be expected to take and pass the relevant trade entry test near the end of the training course, and a one or two week work trial with an employer can also be arranged.
North Lanarkshire Council have vowed to pay for personal protective equipment, and contribute to training costs outwith normal trade core training, as well as 50% of a basic 40 hours salary for the apprentice's first year.
David Hughes, 27, from Gartness, Airdrie, said: "I thought at my age that I would never get a chance likes this.
"When I attend college, it is great to learn new stuff that I can use on site and my tradesmen encourage me to try these.
"I have a wee boy and that made me decide to take up the course in the first place as I wanted to provide for him in the future."
Franny Kiernan, Economic Development Officer at North Lanarkshire Council, said: "I personally am a construction tradesman who returned late to education and university.
"I think if we can get the right kids with the right attitude and commitment to working hard to complete an apprenticeship then 2nd Chance is a life changing opportunity."
Interested residents, aged 18-25, with a real drive to work in construction, and construction companies interested in taking on a 2nd Chance apprentice should contact Mr Kiernan on 01236 638942.
David Hughes, Paul Morton, Paul McAuley and Bruce Hunter were all finding it difficult to get their careers started, until they found North Lanarkshire's 2nd Chance programme.
The programme provides them with a 13 week training course and a real three year apprenticeship in their chosen trades - as part of an opportunity for those who missed out when they left school.
Now running for three years, the programme has trained 150 in all sorts of trades.
It targets adults between 18-24 who have slipped through the net the first time around.
For a number of them, it is their last chance for a sustainable job and career in construction.
Competition for apprenticeship places is fierce every year - in the three years up to 2006, applications made to the Construction Industry Training Board in the West of Scotland was 4000, 5000 and 6500.
With 840, 910 and 1038 successfully getting an apprenticeship this leaves a large pool of untapped talent.
Since 2005, 2nd Chance has found apprenticeships for 82 Lanarkshire residents in an area where unemployment is traditionally high.
The initial college course lasts 13 weeks and consist of a range of trade tasters and Health and Safety.
If appropriate, trainees can also be supported with Literacy or Numeracy needs.
They will be expected to take and pass the relevant trade entry test near the end of the training course, and a one or two week work trial with an employer can also be arranged.
North Lanarkshire Council have vowed to pay for personal protective equipment, and contribute to training costs outwith normal trade core training, as well as 50% of a basic 40 hours salary for the apprentice's first year.
David Hughes, 27, from Gartness, Airdrie, said: "I thought at my age that I would never get a chance likes this.
"When I attend college, it is great to learn new stuff that I can use on site and my tradesmen encourage me to try these.
"I have a wee boy and that made me decide to take up the course in the first place as I wanted to provide for him in the future."
Franny Kiernan, Economic Development Officer at North Lanarkshire Council, said: "I personally am a construction tradesman who returned late to education and university.
"I think if we can get the right kids with the right attitude and commitment to working hard to complete an apprenticeship then 2nd Chance is a life changing opportunity."
Interested residents, aged 18-25, with a real drive to work in construction, and construction companies interested in taking on a 2nd Chance apprentice should contact Mr Kiernan on 01236 638942.