PM Training, Stoke’s leading training provider, has announced an innovative partnership with Staffordshire Housing Association.

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It will provide even more apprenticeships for unemployed teenagers seeking job and training opportunities.

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PM Training targets young people who leave school without qualifications, as well as those facing exclusion from education.

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The partnership with Staffordshire Housing Association will allow an increase in the number of training programmes provided by PM Training, as well as tackling rising unemployment figures in the area.

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The two organisations will work together on a number of community projects across Staffordshire, training local people and increasing their chances of finding future employment.

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Staffordshire Housing Association is successfully working with local apprentices from PM Training as part of a pilot project.

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The young recruits were involved in various schemes including the replacement of coping stones to 6,500 metres of boundary walls to 40 properties in Fegg Hayes, Stoke.

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Work on an outdoor space adjoining the community café at Blackfriars Further Education College was also completed thanks to PM Training’s Homeworks programme. It allowed eight young local people to develop their construction and landscaping skills.

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Will Nixon, Chief Executive of PM Training, said: “This partnership signifies an exciting opportunity for PM Training to reach out to even more local people.

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“Working in partnership with Staffordshire Housing Association we are fully committed to the delivery of excellent services, and to helping individuals fulfil their true potential.

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“Our central aim is to prepare young people for work and to provide them with the right experience and training to help them secure future employment.”

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He added: “This partnership provides the perfect opportunity for young people to be given a real life work taster in a professional and constructive environment.”

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Diane Lea, chief executive of Staffordshire Housing Association, said, "We're delighted to be working with PM Training to benefit the young people of North Staffordshire.� Developing the right skills is especially important in today's economic climate, and we know that working on these types of projects has helped many young people go on to find real jobs."

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Since its launch, PM Training, which operates as a social enterprise and is part of the Aspire Housing Group, has provided tailor-made training and life-coaching programmes for nearly 9,000 people, and now turns over £2m per annum.

It has major contracts with the Learning and Skills Council and provides inspiring training in a variety of subjects ranging from basic numeracy and literacy to NVQ management programmes. All courses are delivered by highly qualified and experienced staff in state-of-the-art facilities.

PM Training also provides home improvement and environmental services to elderly and vulnerable council tenants, including gardening and landscaping, carpet fitting and furnishing, and painting.

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Staffordshire Housing Association� owns and manages 2,500 high quality homes for single people, families, older people and key workers in Staffordshire. They are involved in regeneration, supported housing, a Home Improvement Agency and management services for other organisations. They also have a subsidiary, Blue Mountain Housing Association, which provides housing and support to refugees and BME communities.