Member Article

Life’s a beach buggy for apprentice

A pre-apprentice who found his new role after completing an Army-led engineering project to build and test drive a beach buggy is urging others to follow in his tyre tracks.

Ben Middleton is training at Middlesbrough College after taking part in Redcar & Cleveland Council’s nine-week Tactical Engineering Development (TED) scheme.

He was one of 11 young people who took part in the second course - aimed at those not in education, employment or training - and now all of them are working or training.

The Guisborough teenager is encouraging others to join the next intake of scheme, starting on October 8, which sees participants working at an Army Reserve Centre, mentored by soldiers.

Ben said: “I had left college and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do long term.

“I was considering going back but this course has opened my eyes to apprenticeships.

“I’m a lot more confident after finishing the course and it gave me a clearer idea about my future.”

It is hoped Ben’s six-month pre-apprentice programme will lead to a full-time job within the process industries.

The one-day-a-week TED course, funded by a Community Covenant Grant, takes place at 102 Battalion Royal, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. Free transport is provided.

Young people, aged 16 to 19, work under the supervision of military engineering specialists and gain a manufacturing qualification.

WO2 Mark Hill, Army Youth Engagement Officer, said: “Soldiers are excellent role models for this project because they are highly skilled and disciplined.

“The young people also get the chance to work at an Army Reserve Centre where they learn basic engineering as well as employability skills.”

Joan Guy, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education, said the main goal of the course was to get young people into work or training.

Cllr Guy said: “Part of the programme gives the young people the opportunity to visit local firms where they can develop their knowledge and understanding of industries, which is what helped inspire Ben.”

A recruitment event where potential candidates can see the beach buggies and talk to soldiers takes place at Tuned In!, Majuba Road, Redcar, on Tuesday (October 1) at 10.30 am.

For information contact 01642 771112 or text 07775 432266.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .