Recent Prince’s Trust course participant Christopher Laws has a great deal to be proud about.  After completing his studies with Building Futures East in March, Chris secured employment through Balfour Beatty and one of their sub contractors.  The first of its kind in the region, this Prince’s Trust ‘Get into Construction’ programme included 2 weeks of work placement at the Haymarket Newcastle University construction site made possible thanks to Balfour Beatty.  After proving himself during his time onsite, Chris was offered a contract.

In recognition of his hard work and achievement, Chris has now also been nominated for a Newcastle City Council award, as they provided the funding to make this course possible.

The awards ceremony takes place at Newcastle Civic Centre on 15^th May; a big ‘Good Luck’ from everyone at BFE, Balfour Beatty and the Prince’s Trust!

Picture above shows Chris Laws receiving his certificate of achievement from John Laycock of Balfour Beatty at the celebration of success event

Children from Walkergate Primary School, Newcastle, with Colin Raistrick from P&G

15 groups on Tyneside and in Northumberland have benefitted from grants totalling over £10,000 from the P&G Fund at the Community Foundation.

Building Futures East in Newcastle was one group that benefitted with a grant of £1,115 towards children’s personal protective equipment. The equipment allows children from local schools to take part in construction workshops that teach them about bricklaying, plastering and other trades, as well as teaching them literacy and numeracy skills in a different environment to the classroom.

Colin Raistrick from the P&G Fund said:

“I had a fantastic time visiting Building Futures East and seeing the children from Walkergate Primary School learning so much about construction. The young people’s learning experience was transformed and it was great to see them using all sorts of tools, building brick chimneys, mixing cement and tidying up! We were delighted to be able to award the grant which has gone towards their protective work gear, without which they would simply not be able to be able to start the course.”

15 learners on our NCFE Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce course which is taking place at Sure Start West Walker, have successfully completed 2 work experience placements at Sure Start Centres across Newcastle. The Level 2 course requires 28 weeks of study which include the 2 placements period and all 15 learners are now close to completing with only 6 weeks of study to go.

The course has been a great success so far with 2 learners gaining secure employment from their placements.

BFE learner Lisa Fryer is due to launch her business “Inspire” . The company will offer specialised holiday care provision for clients with Learning Disabilities.

Lisa who has successfully completed NCFE L2 Certificate for Working  in the Health Sector and  EDI Level 2 Customer Service is now studying for her Level 2 IT to fulfill her complement of skills ready to undertake the challenges of self employment.