PM Training apprentice, Kevin Parton is making his way up the career ladder after finding himself out of work and homeless just a few months ago.

Kevin, who is now working at Aspire Housing in Newcastle-under-Lyme, is also the first apprentice to have been sourced by the organisation through the Local Employment Partnership initiative; a government scheme intended to support the local community. It encourages businesses to work with their local job centre in recruiting people who have been out of work for at least six months.

Twenty-five year old Kevin was living at the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, uncertain of how to find his way into employment and desperately hoping for a second chance.

It was through meeting PM Training, Staffordshire’s specialist training provider, that Kevin was given an opportunity to prove his potential and begin an apprenticeship in Business Administration.

PM Training, which operates as a social enterprise and recently became part of the Aspire Housing Group, aims to tackle worklessness by giving those with few or no qualifications an alternative route into the workplace.

Kevin, from Cross Heath in Newcastle-under-Lyme, said: “During my interviews with PM Training I felt like I was meeting people who actually cared and wanted to help. Within a week of meeting with them they offered me an apprenticeship.

“I had always wanted to work in an office but didn’t have the experience or qualifications. Now I’ve been given a real chance and I appreciate that.

“I’ve since moved out of the YMCA and have my own flat. I have a job I really enjoy and the team I work with at Aspire are very supportive. My life has changed completely.

“My advice to anyone who is out of work or struggling to get into work because of a lack of experience or qualifications would be not to give up, and to approach interviews with confidence. Often employers want to see people just being themselves, so there’s no need to be too nervous.”

Sinead Butters, Chief Executive of Aspire Housing, said: “As part of our commitment to the local community, we are working with the government’s Local Employment Partnership scheme to improve employment prospects for the long-term unemployed.

“Kevin is the first apprentice we have recruited in this way and it highlights the success of the LEP scheme.”

She added: “He is now enjoying a varied apprenticeship, gaining valuable office experience and developing a mass of transferable skills.”

Since its launch, PM Training has provided tailor-made training and life-coaching programmes for nearly 9,000 people, and now turns over £2m per annum.

Will Nixon, PM Training’s Chief Executive, said: “When I first met Kevin, I could see his potential immediately. He was someone who passionately wanted to begin a career and was determined to work hard to support himself and move out of the YMCA.

“We are happy to offer apprenticeships to young people like Kevin as part of our commitment to boosting skills and employment in communities across north Staffordshire.”

The organisation has major contracts with the Learning and Skills Council and provides 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.