A TEESDALE teenager who took part in a pilot scheme to gain invaluable experience in the decorating industry is to feature in a government film.
Lucy McCrindle, 18, from Stainton Grove, was just one of the students who gained real life experience helping redecorate Stainton Village Hall last year as part of the scheme organised by Trades4Care, a community interest company based in Bishop Auckland.
Ms McCrindle said: “When I left school I didn’t know what I wanted to do. But I love decorating and I gained so much confidence with the work we did at the hall and it has made such a difference.”
Now she and other participating students are set to feature in a film for a Department for Education case study next month.
Andrew Coxon, owner of Trades4Care, set up the company when he realised many colleges struggle to find work experience places for their students aged between 16 and 19 and decided to ‘bridge’ the gap in bringing them together.
Mr Coxon, who has now run two successful pilot schemes with students in conjunction with Bishop Auckland college, said: “We knew there is a problem with getting real work placements for the students and it is important for them to gain experience.
“This is a collaborative project working closely with local colleges and organisations to provide an enhanced journey of opportunity for our young people including work placements, life skills, coaching and mentorship.
“We place the students with tradespeople who are able to provide real mentorship and training and the benefits they get is the extra time they save by having the students work with them.”
Filming for the video is scheduled to take place on May 22 and 23 and the team at Trades4Care are keen to find another charity or community venue which require work carrying out.
Mr Coxon added: “We price jobs competitively and clients don’t just get a great job done, they get the added benefit of helping students gain valuable experience.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about the scheme should contact www. trades4care.co.uk
