Two Gainsborough teenagers can look forward to a brighter future after embarking on a traineeship at Gainsborough College.

Sophie Coulson (16) and Laura Gillyet (17) were among the first cohort of students to enrol on the new 24-week traineeship programme aptly called ‘Skill Up’.

As well as gaining qualifications in maths and English the students undertake a six-month work experience placement and learn employability skills such as how to write a CV to help them succeed in the competitive jobs market.

Sophie and Laura, both from Gainsborough, worked voluntarily at the Pass It On charity shop in the town as part of their course.

“I was home schooled and didn’t have any formal qualifications, which is why I decided to do the Skill Up traineeship,” explained Sophie. “I had no idea what I wanted to do and relied on my mum and my sister a lot as I had no self-confidence and was frightened to go out of the house on my own.

“Thanks to the work experience placement, which I really enjoyed, I now know what I want to do. Laura and I both loved the creative side of the job, dressing the shop window and arranging the products on display, and we’ve applied to do a hairdressing course at the college which we’re hoping to start in September.”

Gainsborough College’s Work Placement and Schools Liaison Officer Trish Potterton, added: “Both the girls have made excellent progress and I’m really proud of what they have achieved.

“Sophie in particular is like a different person; she wouldn’t even look at me when her mum and her sister first brought her into college last year as she was so frightened but now she comes in on her own and has even applied to study full-time.

“I’m so pleased for her and all of the students who have completed the course and would like to thank Pass It On and the other local businesses who kindly give our young people the chance to gain valuable experience in a real work environment.”

Pass It On is a non-profit organisation which provides household goods, clothes and toys to vulnerable people for free.

Commenting on the traineeship, Pass It On Director Jeff Harrison said: “We were very pleased to accept some help from Gainsborough College students Laura and Sophie. In return they have experience to add to their CVs and have developed new and existing skills.”

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About Gainsborough College

• Gainsborough College is part of The Lincoln College Group which is the largest educational institution in the county with 10,000 students across its three colleges in Gainsborough, Lincoln and Newark.
• The Lincoln College Group is the largest provider of business training and skills in Lincolnshire and provides training for around 1,200 businesses in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire
• Its colleges have been rated Outstanding by Ofsted and has a huge range of full, part-time and short courses for students aged 16 and above including university-level courses.

For further information please contact:
Kate Strawson
Director, Shooting Star PR
kate@weareshootingstar.co.uk
01522 528540
07733 230293
@KateStrawson