Teenager Chris Norman likes nothing more than getting his hands dirty under the bonnet of a car and thanks to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s pioneering youth initiative, a career as a mechanic beckons.
Chris is one of more than 4,000 young people to have already benefited from the Council’s £14million Building the Future Together programme.
Working in partnership with the Council’s Services For Young People, Children’s Services, Cultural Services, Coleg Morgannwg and secondary schools, the three-year project is part financed by the Convergence European Social Fund through the Welsh Government and aims to improve the life chances and career opportunities of many thousands of young people in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Through the support of a Key Worker and Youth Coach, employed in each secondary school and street-based detached youth workers across Rhondda Cynon Taf, the project seeks early identification of young people who may be at risk of underachieving. It also aims to help young people aged 16 to 19 who are out of education training or employment to get back into learning and to develop skills for employers.
Emma Brabon is the Building the Future Together Employment Co-ordinator who works specifically with Looked After Children. Emma has been coordinating Chris’s progress after he was identified as someone who would benefit from the support provided by Building the Future Together because of his deep interest and enthusiasm for mechanics and a fear that on leaving school unqualified he may be unlikely to find long-term employment.
Following a mechanic apprenticeship last year, the 18-year-old has finished his first year in college and achieved an NVQ Level 1.
Chris, who lives with his foster parents, also has a 16-month-old daughter of his own. Under the care of Rhondda Cynon Taf he has lived with his foster carers in Llanishen, Cardiff.
He left Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School with no formal qualifications and was not interested in returning to education. A placement was set up for him at a local garage and due to enjoying the practical side he then got offered an apprenticeship opportunity where he was expected to attend College one day a week.
Chris has sustained this employment for 12 months and regularly attends College and is flourishing in his employment and at work. He is about to begin his second year of his apprenticeship in September and is now on his way to becoming a fully qualified mechanic.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning Cllr Eudine Hanagan explained: “Already in a short period of time the benefits of the Building the Future Together project are there for all to see. It encourages young people to achieve their full potential through a range of specialised intervention support that’s tailored to their individual needs.
“Through the close work and support of all the project delivery staff young people like Chris are being empowered to make a successful transition into employment or higher education through raising their skills levels and aspirations.”
