Minister for the West Midlands Ian Austin MP hailed the innovative work of a social enterprise which tackles worklessness among young people.

He visited Stoke-on-Trent to officially open the newly refurbished premises of PM Training following a bumper £2million investment from North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership.

“Organisations like PM Training are already making a difference – just one work experience place, or apprenticeship, can give a young person a chance,” he said.

“I am incredibly impressed; I had no idea what I would see – the new workshop is totally amazing, really mind-blowing. I have never seen anything like it in operation anywhere in the country.”

PM Training, part of the Aspire Housing Group, has already helped 10,000 teenagers into sustainable training and employment.

Sinead Butters, Chief Executive of the Aspire Housing Group, welcomed the Minister to the region at a breakfast meeting, attended by members of the North Staffordshire Employer Board, which she also chairs.

The event enabled local employers to highlight the issues that businesses in the area face.

� “Skills are at the very top of our agenda here in the West Midlands,” said Ian Austin MP.

“The only way we’ll reverse the decline in our economy is with better skills.”�

Following the breakfast event at Britannia Stadium, the Regional Minister was keen to meet some of the teenagers who have been given a real life chance through PM Training.

Will Nixon, Chief Executive of PM Training, provided a tour of the new centre and introduced Ian Austin MP to staff and apprentices as taster workshops in painting, decorating and marbling got underway.

� “The Minister was extremely impressed with the quality of our workshop and was quick to recognise the long-term benefits of the extensive, high quality training available at PM Training,” said Will Nixon.

“The delivery of excellent services, and helping individuals fulfil their true potential is our priority.

“By investing in our facilities, we are able to provide even better opportunities for young people across North Staffordshire.�

� “We have transformed our on-site workshops and upgraded our equipment to hone the skills of young people, preparing them for the future.”

PM Training, the largest social enterprise subsidiary of any UK housing association, was established in 1982 to provide high quality training, job placements and permanent employment opportunities.

Around 70 per cent of all trainees of trainees go on to pursue long-term training or permanent employment – one of the highest success rates in the country.

Working with companies across the region, it provides significant apprenticeship opportunities in numerous trades including construction, engineering, landscaping and customer services.