Pictured above: Will Nixon, Mo Chaudry and Jess
Wakefield
Celebrations were in full swing as a Staffordshire training
provider crowned its 10,000th learner.
PM Training, a social enterprise which tackles worklessness
among young people, marked the milestone by handing teenager Jess
Wakefield a life-changing opportunity.
The 17-year-old, from Cross Heath, was given a golden ticket to
embark on a painting and decorating apprenticeship - a career that
she has long dreamed of.
"I have always been interested in art and design but thought
that painting and decorating was a job for boys," said Jess, a
former pupil at St. John Fisher High School.
"When I left school I gave hair and beauty a go but knew all
along that my heart wasn't in it."
Unemployment in the North Staffordshire area may be higher than
regional and national averages, but Jess was determined not to
become another statistic.
"Connexions introduced me to PM Training and I haven't looked
back," said Jess, who recently began an NVQ course in painting and
decorating.
She added: "To be offered an apprenticeship is fantastic and now
I'm really looking forward to the future."
Mo Chaudry, who shot to fame on Channel 4's The Secret
Millionaire, also presented Jess with an annual pass to WaterWorld
to mark her achievement.
The self-made millionaire, who has a strong track record in
creating and sustaining employment and generating business in the
regional economy, joined forces with PM Training last year to act
as a mentor to the hundreds of young local people that the
organisation helps.
He said: "I realised following the life changing experience on
Secret Millionaire that young people need positive role
models in their lives in order to become more motivated, gain
confidence and make a go of their lives.
"As a result I have relished the opportunity to work with young
people at PM Training. Jess is an excellent example of such a
person who now believes that anything is possible."
PM Training, part of the Aspire Group, is consistently the most
successful training provider in Staffordshire with apprenticeship
opportunities in construction trades, business administration,
engineering, landscaping, manufacturing and customer services.
Chief Executive Will Nixon said: "We have been supporting and
supplying apprentices to local companies since 1982.
"Celebrating our 10,000th learner is not only a major milestone
for us, but an achievement for the community too - we are
successfully working together to transform employment prospects for
the region.
"Jess is a first class example of an enthusiastic young person
who has been given the skills, support and opportunities that she
needed to turn her life around."