A PROJECT giving young people on Teesside the skills they need to begin working in horticulture has received a boost from UK Steel Enterprise, the business support subsidiary of Tata Steel.
The SowToGrow project, run by youth charity The Prince’s Trust in partnership with Groundwork North East and East Coast Training at Skelton Adult Education Centre, works with young people aged between 14 and 18 who are not in employment or training or have been excluded from school.
In Middlesbrough there are currently almost one in three young people (30 %) struggling to find work. About 50 young people will benefit from the SowtoGrow project each year, gaining OCN qualifications in horticulture and acquiring a whole range of skills they need to be successful in a work environment.
UK Steel Enterprise’s Community Support Fund has given £3,000 to The Prince’s Trust towards its programmes on Teesside and part of it has provided a polytunnel on the centre’s allotment.
In October, the trust’s president, The Prince of Wales, visited Teesside to see the progress made.
Jane Kendall, of The Prince’s Trust in the North-east, said: “The help from UK Steel Enterprise is fantastic as the money is enabling these young people to do something so valuable, acquire qualifications and gain a real sense of pride. This support is a good example of how we can all work together to help get young people into work in Teesside, highlighted by the Prince’s recent visit.”
Project workers Mike Dent from Groundwork North East and Andy Clark from East Coast Training said: “We are delighted with the polytunnel. It will expand our growing year and we can use it in all weathers not only for growing but also for training and preparation work. This is hands-on practical work and horticulture is an expanding industry so there are jobs available. The five young people currently on the course are fantastic and doing really well.”
The fruit and vegetables that the young people produce will go to the homeless, people living in supported housing and others in need.
“It is great to be occupied during the day,” said Connor Duffy, 17, from Skelton. “I’ve been out of school for more than two years but I’m enjoying this, working towards some qualifications and I’ve got a real chance of a job at the end of it.”
Simon Hamilton, UK Steel Enterprise’s regional manager, said: “Our Community Support Fund is all about improving life for people living in steel areas.”