TEENAGER OVERCOMES HURDLES TO LAND DREAM APPRENTICESHIP JOB

A Cornish teenager is knuckling down to his new apprenticeship boatbuilding job this week, thanks to tailored ESF (European Social Fund) support designed to boost young people’s prospects.

Eden McCann’s successful progression has been hailed as a shining example of how the pioneering Freestyle programme can really assist Cornish young people in achieving their chosen career.

Despite having learning difficulties, the 17-year-old landed his dream job with Rustler Yachts in Falmouth as a result of coordinated partnership support through Cornwall Marine Network’s training schemes.

Eden was only diagnosed as having dyslexia after leaving school and, after struggling with further academic attempts last year, he felt he had hit rock bottom.

He said: “I tried doing a traditional boatbuilding course at Falmouth Marine College, but I couldn’t keep up with the written course work so I dropped out.

“I then spent six months unemployed, just doing nothing. It was really boring and it knocked my confidence. I knew what job I wanted but I didn’t know how to achieve it.”

Determined to break into his chosen profession, Eden eventually told himself to “get a grip” and sought assistance from the community support network of his former Falmouth School and from Cornwall Marine Network’s Marine Academy.

School mentor Mel Bailey and local PC Sean McDonnell from Falmouth teenagers’ Waterfront Crew had already identified Eden as having potential. His capabilities were recognised while working with the Waterfront Crew – a reward-based sustainable scheme where teenagers give up their time to help clean up Falmouth town centre.

Mel Bailey organised a meeting with CMN Marine Academy Director Julie Fellows to discuss apprenticeship and Entry to Employment (E2E) opportunities.

Julie said: “At that point he was lacking in direction and confidence. We helped create a path that could lead to his goal through two of our training programmes.”

First, Eden embarked on the Cornwall Marine Academy & Clipper Ventures watersports project which saw him sail a 60ft yacht to Fowey and learn teambuilding, navigation and first aid skills. The challenging nautical courses – being undertaken by some 340 Cornish teenagers - are aimed at boosting motivation and confidence, providing further qualifications and helping improve their prospects.

This programme is funded through Cornwall Council’s Convergence (ESF) Freestyle Project and delivered by Cornwall Marine Network and Clipper Ventures in collaboration with the Learning Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It provides young people aged 14-19 who are unemployed or at risk of not being in education, employment or training with flexible learning opportunities through a variety of organisations and settings.

Eden, from Falmouth, completed the course with an RYA Level 1 Competent Crew qualification as well as certificates in Basic First Aid Skills, Surf Rescue Skills and Team Development Skills.

Spurred on by his achievement, he said: “It gave me more confidence and taught me to persevere. We were on a stormbound yacht in October off Falmouth and I thought I could just get off and go home to a warm bed. But I stuck it out. It felt good in the end.”

As he was still unemployed, the Marine Academy suggested he next did an E2E training scheme and matched him with Cornwall Marine Network member Rustler Yachts, who expressed interest in employing an apprentice.

E2E is a work-based initiative – delivered through Cornwall Council & funded by the Learning Skills Council - for young people who are not yet ready or able to enter employment. It develops the young person’s employability skills, through a variety of experiences including work experience which enables the employer and young person to get to know each other before the employer makes any long-term commitment. Eden was also able to claim Education Maintenance Allowance through the scheme.

Julie said: “Eden’s initial three months at Rustler proved a very tangible way of using his practical skills. As opposed to a classroom environment, he was able to apply them in the context of the workplace.”

Rustler’s production manager Reg Smith quickly recognised Eden had the motivation, commitment and aptitude required and offered him a full-time apprenticeship.

He said: “The good thing about E2E is that you have a chance to evaluate before taking someone on. Eden did everything that was asked of him so, as long as he continues to do well, he’s got a job for life. He will now be moved around the boatyard to gain experience in different areas, plus do some day-release training.”

Eden’s family are very proud of his achievement. He is one of quadruplets and his three sisters Abby, Holly and Bridie have all also benefited from the E2E marine industries programme organised by CMN.

His mum Julie said: “The kids all learnt practical skills as well as about life’s opportunities.

“We are very grateful to Mel Bailey and Cornwall Marine Network for getting behind Eden when he most needed a chance. He was like a lost soul for a while as he didn’t want to go back into education. Being behind a desk with pen and paper was like torture to him. “His success shows other young people what you can achieve and how barriers like dyslexia can be overcome.”

CMN’s Julie added: “An awful lot of people believed in Eden, even when he didn’t believe in himself. His success is testament to his hard work and the support and guidance he has received from his school community, us at Cornwall Marine Network, our funding partners, Clipper Ventures and Rustler.”

Mel Bailey agreed: “Eden is a shining example of how real partnership working can nurture and transform a person’s life achievement. He epitomises the personal and community wealth that can be returned with such an effort.”

Ellen Dolan, Cornwall Council Contract Manager for E2E and Freestyle, added: “It is fantastic to see the progress that Eden has made on both the Freestyle and E2E programmes, he should be very proud. It shows a brilliant example of partnership working between all involved which has resulted in Eden achieving an apprenticeship.”

March 2010 ENDS