A 16-year-old from Trecenydd who left school with no job and no qualifications has turned his life around with the help of training company Educ8.
Curtis James (pictured in the red cap) was referred to Educ8 by Caerphilly Council’s 14 to 19 Department and Prevention Team and has now managed to secure a permanent job with the local authority.
Curtis left school at the early age of 15 and was classed as a NEET – or Not in Employment, Education or Training.
In July 2011 he began one of Educ8’s Summer School Programmes.
The three week programme Curtis improved his literacy, numeracy and computer skills and learnt about different sectors he could find work in.
After taking part in taster sessions and work placements in a variety of sectors and organisations, Curtis gained work experience and references which helped him go on to Educ8’s Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) Scheme.
As part of the scheme, Curtis was offered a six-month paid work-placement programme.
He attended work for three days and then completed the week with a training day at Educ8’s learning academy. The ILM scheme also mean tCurtis gained qualifications in Work Skills, Essential Skills Wales, First Aid, Health and Safety and Food Safety.
In March 2012, Curtis attended his first job interview with Caerphilly County Borough Council and successfully secured a permanent job as an apprentice youth worker.
Curtis said: “I loved the ILM Course, it really helped me gain qualifications.
“The staff at Educ8 gave me the confidence to be able to get a job, and now I’ve got my dream job, I can’t wait to get started.”
Educ8 currently works with a variety of 25 young people, (aged16 to 18) all of which are classed as ‘NEETs’.