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Preston Vocational Centre has announced the successful completion of an initiative to support young people through diversion, prevention and intervention strategies during the summer holidays.
The ‘Pathway to Progress’ programme was held in partnership with Keepmoat and funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire.
It offered educational sessions as an introduction to the construction industry, for two hours per day, two days a week.
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Students engaged in hands-on taster sessions in plastering, brickwork, plumbing, joinery and painting, gaining practical experience.
The sessions aimed to enhance job readiness and provide students with the tools needed to succeed in the future.
Chloe, a student who took part in the programme said: “It’s been amazing! I’ve never met so many people or learned so much about construction as I have at PVC during this course.
“I was unsure about what I wanted to do, but I’m lucky to have been able to explore different skills and trades. Now, I’m excited to go to Preston College to pursue a course in bricklaying.”
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Students were also able to hear from industry professionals who provided the class with valuable insights and real-world experience.
A representative from Ionic visited PVC to discuss job opportunities with the students and Jeff from
Sterling Plastering Group also contributed by leading a hands-on plastering session, as well as other guest speakers.
They also had an opportunity to visit a live construction site at Farington Mews. To recognise their hard work and dedication, certificates and gift vouchers were awarded to the students who successfully completed the programme.
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Henry, another student said: “Out of everything I’ve done, plastering has been the most enjoyable. I’ve been coming to PVC once a week for a year and this summer course really helped solidify my interest.
“Now, I’m planning to go to Preston College to take a course in plastering. PVC gave me the hands-on experience I needed to find what I love.”
As the programme concludes, PVC and its partners remain committed to empowering young people by providing them with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to thrive in their future careers.
Julie Baker, Social Value Manager at Keepmoat, talked about the importance of such initiatives: “As a company, we’re driven to help deliver a sustainable future and for us, this means not only delivering much-needed energy-efficient new homes but also making a positive impact on the communities we work with.
“School holidays can be a challenging time for young people, as there is little for them to do, which can increase the risk of getting involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.
“It is vital that we all work together to give young people these opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and qualities to help them progress into further education or employment while keeping them engaged and motivated during this difficult time. We wish them all the very best in their future careers.”
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