YOUNGSTERS in Redcar and Cleveland are being offered the opportunity to kickstart their lives.

Cleveland Fire Brigade will be hosting a Prince’s Trust Team Programme and are inviting 16 to 25-year-olds to join them in working together for the local community.

The free 12-week programme will see participants take part in a week long residential team building exercise as well as a community project, a work placement and a team challenge. Help with CVs and job seeking will also be on offer.

Those attending the course will also have chance to gain qualifications in first aid, key skills and fire awareness.

Mick Jones, Cleveland Fire Brigade’s Youth Engagement Co-ordinator and Team Leader for the course, said: “The Prince’s Trust Team Programme enables participants to experience a sense of achievement which inspires them to move forward with new confidence and ambition.

“Lots of people who have attended previous courses have gone on to achieve great things and many have commented that it has kick-started their lives.”

Data shows that 70 per cent of those who complete the programme go on to find a job, education or training within three months.

The course begins on Monday January 21 but a taster day on Thursday January 17 at Grangetown Fire Station’s Learning and Development Centre will provide an opportunity to learn more about what the course will involve.

For more information, contact Mick Jones on 07734-419200 or email mjones@clevelandfire.gov.uk