We are pleased to announce that we have had yet another fantastic term at Skillz Education. We now have a total of 25 young people who attend the centre on a regular basis and the number is growing rapidly.

Skillz offers a FOUNDATION LEARNING Package which encompasses all of the three areas including PSHE, Vocational and Functional Skills.

So now there is a one stop place for young people to get their hands on a variety of qualifications!!

Since Christmas we have had young people achieved 22 more NOCN ‘Step Up’ qualifications across many different subjects including; Health and Safety Awareness, to Team Work Skills, Assertiveness and Decision Making, Brickwork, Painting and Decorating, Fashion and Retail, and various Functional Skills.

We also have a Kirkless YOT weekend project run by our very own tutor John Guthrie. Where some young people who are completing Unpaid Work set by the Courts have been able to go that extra mile and not only complete their reparation but also gather evidence for various Construction and Health and Safety qualifications. Well done guys, this will be great for your future!!!

We have had ‘all hands on deck’ with our own Skillz projects over the past few weeks and as a result we now have a brighter and more colourful centre thanks to the young people’s hard work and excellent painting skills. We also have a brand new garden area complete with homemade bird boxes where a Blue Tit family have raised their babies! Not only that but we have started to grow our very own vegetables and we are involved in the ‘One Pot Pledge’ challenge; we will be eating delicious and homegrown greens very soon!

Here are some things the young people had to say about Skillz...

It’s not all hard work at the Skillz HQ, we have been taking trips out of the centre; including a visit and to the Able1 project where we saw their fish farming and horticultural operation. We also took a team trip to the Ten Pin bowling alley as part of a reward scheme for the young people for fantastic behaviour. We even made the most of the beautiful spring sun and had a BBQ! To look at the pictures click HERE!

This is what the parents / carer’s had to say...

Skillz were also very proud to be part of the live Radio Five Live election debates where MP’s were quizzed about their policies and how it will affect Skillz and Leeds Education as a whole. Our very own Lucy Tomlin was in the audience and stressed the importance of centre’s such as Skillz and how it’s our responsibility as schools, teachers, parents, carers, vocational centre’s and their staff to ensure we give our young people the best chance of a bright future, well done Lucy!

We have recently entered the Barclays ‘One Small Step’ competition and, although we did not get through to the finals the two-minute video clip that explains who we are and what we do was fun to make and can be seen on the website. We would like to thank the young people for getting involved, it was great to get their opinions voiced, after all, we would not be here without them! The young people enjoyed making the video that this has become a favourite way of evidencing their learning and new Health and Safety films are being produced and directed by the young people as we speak!! Watch this space...

FASHION is really taking off at Skillz and we have seen many designer’s of the future complete various qualifications. For more pictures and examples of their creative work in the fashion studio please click HERE.

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to say a big well done to the young people that have now left Skillz to go on to further Education and Employment. What a fantastic achievement, it’s been an absolute pleasure working with you and we wish you all the very best for the future! :)

There are places still available for tasters in July 2010 and for new courses starting in September 2010.

Remember for more information check out our website or if you have any referral questions give us a call on 0113 2635988. If you can’t wait to get the latest Skillz news and updates then join us on Facebook and Twitter!

That’s all from us and until next time!

Best Wishes,
Team Skillz

© 2010 Skillz Education.