Member Article

George is winner of innovative future leaders scheme

Teenager George Potter has won a life-changing prize – an apprenticeship – thanks to his budgeting acumen and project management skills. The 15-year-old has been declared the winner of Coast & Country’s Future Leaders initiative, where students from schools in the Redcar and Cleveland area are set the challenge of devising and organising schemes that will benefit the community. The pupil who proves themselves the best over the task and a rigorous interview process is awarded an apprentice with the housing and regeneration company.

George, who attends Sacred Heart School, Redcar, will start his apprenticeship with Coast & Country in 2014 with the company working with the teenager to choose a career that’s best for him.

Under the innovative project, students from six schools were given a budget to organise community projects, these included 1940’s Tea dance, a children’s play area, the creation of garden area for a residential home. The Future Leaders’ competitors had to bring their schemes in on time and within budget and demonstrate they could work under their own initiative as well as part of a team. The students presented their projects to a panel comprising, John Barnard, from Coast & Country’s Tenant Panel, Maggie Gee from its Residents Scrutiny group and Samantha Outwin, from its Human Resources department. The decision was extremely difficult, but eventually the group announced Nunthorpe School as the winner for the best Community Project. The next step was the recruitment process for those students who were interested in and had shown flair and potential for a three year apprenticeship with Coast & Country with 12 in total securing an interview. Iain Sim, Chief Executive of Coast & Country, one of the largest regeneration and housing companies in the North East, said: “Young people are our future and it is important to help raise their ambitions and help them develop skills that will help them secure employment. “Future Leaders also helps increase awareness about the needs of the community and what people can do to help improve the environments and lives of other residents living in their neighbourhoods.” Mr Sim added: “All of the Future Leaders contenders showed flair, imagination, and would be an asset to a wide range of employers. The challenge they were set was aimed at drawing out their employment potential, and their leadership and organisational skills. “The decision was a difficult one, but there could only be one winner. It was a close call, but George demonstrated all the qualities we were looking for and we look forward to him coming on board as an apprentice next year.” George said: “This is a life changing prize and I can hardly wait to start work with Coast & Country. “Apprenticeships are great because they combine hands-on practical experience and studying for qualifications at the same time. I am looking forward to working with Coast & Country to find the job that suits me.” The schools that took part comprised Redcar Community College, Rye Hills, and Sacred Heart, all from Redcar, St Peters, South Bank, Nunthorpe Academy Nunthorpe and Bydales, Markse.

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