Academy participants with their children and ncn staff
Kirsty learns a new skill
Laura Surman, 15, with her partner Adam Hopewell, 17
Eight parents aged between 15 and 19 have now applied for a college place or training, after attending the first ‘Young Parents Academy’ at ncn Basford Hall.This new initiative supports the government’s priority to reduce the numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The young people learnt first aid, job-seeking skills and nutrition, and found out about potential career paths including social work, hair & beauty and construction.
All of the participants were positive about their experience at the Academy. Kirstie McClay,19, explained: “Before I joined I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I have now applied to study GCSE’s at ncn. I would then like to do an Access to Nursing course at the College and I want to be a midwife.
“The nursery support was very important for me as it meant I didn’t need to worry about my son Daniel who is fifteen months old.”
The Young Parents Academy was designed in conjunction with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Connexions.
Andrew Price, LSC Partnership Manager said: “It is really important that we encourage these young parents back into education or training. The hard bit is convincing them that post 16 education is different to school and could really benefit them. ncn has run two excellent weeks of educational activity for this group of learners.”
Posted on 6th August 2009