07/04/2010
Prince's Trust Team 9 celebrate graduation day
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City of Westminster College’s Prince’s Trust Team 9 students held a final presentation at Lord’s Cricket Ground to celebrate their achievements on the 12-week programme.
It has been an exciting journey for the students as they have built skills, confidence and motivation – as well as boosting their CVs with group projects and individual work experience.
Among the highlights of the programme were a music project with Defcon Workshops and the creation of a song with Andrew Maurice, who runs internet-based live music venue The Suite (and has worked with acts ranging from Chaka Khan to Katie Melua). Team 9 also participated in motivational workshops with Warwickshire cricketer Paul Smith and leading choreographer/dancer Kevin Adams, as well as developing event-management skills by organising a fundraising community youth day that raised £200 for Homeless Link and the youth charities Re-Evolve and MyBnk.
A vital part of the Team Challenge is individual work placements and for Team 9 these ranged from front-desk work at Premier Inn and sports coaching at Chelsea FC to experience with IT and financial services companies. The students also tested their physical capabilities and developed group working skills on a residential team building course in Kent.
Team 9 received extensive support from Marylebone Cricket Club, which is part of The Prince’s Trust's Cricket Initiative. The Club provided tours of Lord’s Cricket Ground and offered coaching sessions with women's international player, Beth Morgan and ex-MCC Young Cricketer, Jamie Thorpe. The Club’s HR staff provided mock interviews to help the young people brush up on their skills and Chief Executive, Keith Bradshaw, got involved with their special project to raise awareness and understanding of disability in cricket.
Russell Seymour, Sustainability Manager at Marylebone Cricket Club said: "MCC is proud to be working with The Prince's Trust and their partner City of Westminster College, to help young people realise their potential and for them to see how cricket can complement the skills they gain from the course. It's great for us to see their transformation and personal achievements."
Team 9 member Jemuel Anderson, 17, says: “I came onto the Programme having already gained my Level 3 in IT, so for me it was about meeting new people and gaining valuable work experience. The course was a lot of fun and now I’m looking to move into a job or apprenticeship in IT. I’d definitely recommend Prince’s Trust Team – especially to anyone struggling to get work as it provides great preparation and experience.”
Team 9 member Michelle Hill, 22, says: “I started out as the girl in the corner and ended up as the one in the centre of the room giving presentations – I feel lifted by the whole experience! Team has given me confidence to pursue my long-held ambition to go into the Forces in the engineering or construction field and now I’m in the process of training, taking tests and applying to the Army. I would definitely recommend Prince’s Trust Team – in fact, I’m already recommending it!”
Places are available on City of Westminster College Prince’s Trust Team 11 beginning 27 September 2010. If you are 16-25, unemployed and want to learn new skills without losing Jobseekers Allowance call 07920 723504.