A new charity is hoping to help young people struggling to get a job, to
improve their skills and reach their goals.
So far, 100 apprentices in the Staffordshire area have already benefited
from the funding provided by The Realise Foundation. The charity has been
set up by the Aspire Group housing association, with funding from PM
Training.
The Foundation’s fund already totals some £100,000, which is going to be
spent on creating bursaries to pay for adult learning for people in the
local area.
Over the coming year, the charity says its investment in providing learning
and training facilities will increase to £500,000.
Although the charity has been operating for several months already, it was
officially opened on Saturday at a ceremony at Trentham Gardens. Speaking
at the event, PM Training Chief, Will Nixon, explained, "The foundation is
a regeneration charity focused on providing support for lifelong
learning."
"We're actively working with about 300 companies in North Staffordshire and
have supported more than 100 apprentices,” he added.
One of the locals to have benefited from the funding project is Dan, aged
16 from Fenton. He explained, "I left school and wasn't sure what to do,
but I got this apprenticeship and it's been great. It's allowed me to
develop my creative side."
Another apprentice, Jak, who is 19, said that gaining qualifications helped
him to develop his confidence and self-esteem.
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