Six learners from Caerphilly County Borough Council’s EU-backed PASSPORT programme have reached new heights after climbing a mountain for charity.
Learners Michael Cuss, Amy Reeves, Jamie Marshall, Jamie Pitman, Christian Phillips and Gareth Mulligan, together with their tutor Gary Brown, climbed Pen y Fan mountain in the Brecon Beacons – the tallest mountain in southern Britain – to raise £700 for the Velindre Centre in Cardiff.
As part of the PASSPORT programme, the sextet have completed their basic skills in either literacy or numeracy, and some of the group have now progressed onto accredited classes and part of their efforts to improve their employability status.
Cllr Christine Forehead, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for HR & Governance, said: “This mountain climb is an impressive feat and shows the excellent partnership working between learners from the PASSPORT programme and the Basic Skills Team. This collaboration highlights the importance of working together to improve basic skills, and is also a key lesson in showing the role that being a team player can have in finding sustainable employment.”
The PASSPORT programme has been developed by the Caerphilly Local Service Board and has received funding through Welsh Government’s Local Service Board initiative backed by the European Social Fund, and aims to maximise the impact of public services through collaborative projects.
The council and Job Centre Plus have also provided funding to the programme, and it is hoped this in turn will reduce the number of people aged 16-24 claiming Job Seekers’ Allowance.
To contact the Basic Skills Team please ring 01633 613551.
To find out more about the PASSPORT programme please visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk.
