Teenagers get a fresh start in new year (From The Northern Echo)

Teenagers get a fresh start in new year

12:27pm Wednesday 30th December 2009 in

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EIGHT teenagers who have completed an initiative with a County Durham construction group will start the new year with new jobs.

The 16 to 18-year-olds, who took part in the Esh Connexts programme, have received a letter offering them at least six months paid work and learning with Esh Group, starting on January 11.

An pilot programme, funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North-East, helped the teenagers to gain new skills and on-the-job experience to improve their lives, their understanding of the workplace and their job prospects.

The initiative, which was developed by Esh Group working with Connexions, focused on supporting young people from the Durham and Chester-le-Street areas whose lives have been affected by a variety of personal, social or cultural issues.

Brian Manning, chief executive of Esh Group, said: “We are very happy to be involved in this ambitious project with Connexions, and are very pleased to be able to work with, support and help these young people whom we hope will prove to be future success stories.

“We are delighted to be able to offer them the chance to work and train with us for six months in the new year and look forward to welcoming them and to seeing them progress further.”