Newcastle-under-Lyme College: Tackling youth unemployment in North Staffordshire

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has launched a new vocational training programme, after youth unemployment in the UK rises to nearly one million.

The new five week Traineeship Programme is available to out of work, 16-18 year olds from across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Engagement and Work-Based Learning, said: "Here at Newcastle-under-Lyme College we're dedicated to providing an outstanding range of education and training options to local people. We continually revise our curriculum to ensure we're meeting the needs of the local community and providing people with skills relevant to the local job market."

The five week programme will provide young people with work-based skills including a one week work placement which will help them to progress onto an Apprenticeship programme at the College. In addition young people will also receive £20 per week, free breakfast and free travel for the duration of the Traineeship.

The first Traineeship launches on Monday 25 February, with the College operating two further courses in April and June.

Vicky added: "Those young people that join the Traineeship will have the opportunity to progress on to one of our Apprenticeships. The College currently has an outstanding Apprenticeship service, which works with over 400 local employers to provide young people across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire the opportunity to earn whilst they learn a recognised trade."

The College currently provides Apprenticeships in areas including Accounting, Beauty Therapy, Business and Administration, Customer Service, Construction, Childcare, Creative Design, Electro-technical, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health and Social Care, Motor Vehicle, Sport and Leisure, Retail and IT.

To find out more or to enrol for the free Traineeship Programme call 01782 254254, visit www.nulc.ac.uk/traineeship