A PROGRAMME giving school leavers a second chance to re-start their education has helped its 1,000th student.

The Choices Plus programme is aimed at young people who did not make the right education choices, or who are not in training, education or employment.

It was started at New College Durham more than ten years ago and offers the option of starting on a full-time vocational courses or an apprenticeship programme later in the academic year to get back on the right track.

Every student is also allocated a Personal Learning Coach (PLC) who supports and encourages them, alongside their tutor.

Vice-principal Mo Dixon said: “We are extremely proud to have seen so many young people access our Choices programmes over the years, enabling them to improve their job prospects and make a positive progression.

“Choices Plus has an extremely high success rate, with the vast majority of students progressing to employment, apprenticeships, higher level study and even university.”

Nineteen-year-old Chloe Layton, from Pelton, Chester-le-Street, who is studying Level Two Diploma Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) in Welding, is hoping to become a farrier.

She is the programme's 1,000th student, and said: “The practical sessions are fun and challenging, and I’m learning something new every day.”

Mo Dixon presented Chloe with a certificate and voucher at a special Choices Plus celebration event, which took place at the college on Wednesday.