Coast & Country’s New Directions programme, which is part of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) funded by the European Social Fund, has enabled a Redcar man to secure employment.
Josh Bentley, 19, from Redcar, has taken a role as an Apprentice Activity Assistant at the Everyone Active leisure facility after working with Coast & Country’s YEI team.
Josh had already gained several personal trainer qualifications at college, but had struggled to find related work after completing his course. Then a hernia, which required surgery, meant he was unable to continue his training regime and could not work in his chosen field.
During his recovery, the former Redcar Academy student was advised by the Job Centre to contact Coast & Country about its employability services. The social housing provider put him in touch with its New Directions team, which worked with Josh to develop his CV and interview technique and support his job search.
Emma Grimes, Youth Employment Initiatives Manager at Coast & Country, said: “This job is an opportunity for Josh to learn new skills and will also give him valuable workplace experience in a field which interests him.
“Josh impressed us with his enthusiasm and it was a pleasure to help him on his journey. I expect this role is the first step onto a successful career ladder in the fitness and wellbeing sector for him.”
Josh said: “I was really disappointed when I was unable to get a job as a personal trainer after working hard to get my qualifications. Then when I had to stop training for my operation, I didn’t think I’d be able to get a job in the fitness industry. The New Directions team put my mind at rest when they said they would work with me to get something related to my interests.
“This new role will allow me to use the skills I learned during my previous courses, while also teaching me lots of new things.
“Everyone who helped me at New Directions was amazing. I’ve spoken with career advisors from other organisations, but none have been as helpful or supportive as Coast & Country’s team.
“They gave me intense one-to-one sessions to help me prepare for interviews and encouraged me to apply for jobs, even those I wasn’t confident about. Any young people out there struggling to find a job should definitely get in touch with them.”
David Arundell, Manager at Everyone Active, Redcar Leisure & Community Heart, said: “Josh is bright young man, full of enthusiasm for the job. He is always first to get involved and always willing to learn.
“He has a great career ahead of him and I’m looking forward to working with him to continue building his skillset to develop as a personal trainer.”