Tucked away behind the Brass Monkey pub in Havelock Road is the Tressell Training building.
Every day, staff quietly get on with the job of helping young people turn their lives around, encouraging them into jobs, encouraging them to learn practical, useful skills - encouraging them to take control of their futures.
Just how successful the Council’s Tressell Training schemes have been, was evident at the White Rock Theatre in July.
Proud young people, accompanied by trainers, friends and families, flocked to the theatre to receive hard earned Certificates of Achievement, presented by Council leader Jeremy Birch.
Cllr Birch said:
“I was proud to present these certificates, and these students have every right to be proud of themselves. Tressell Training is a Council run scheme and has proved to be an invaluable and unique resource for young people in Hastings and the surrounding area. The teams offer a range of courses from life skills to practical experience and work placements.”
Those receiving certificates had taken part in two training schemes: Tressell Alternative Provision 11 (TAP 11) and the Tressell Training Master Classes.
The TAP 11 courses started in November 2003 on the back of a pilot project, run in partnership with the SLSC (Sussex Learning and Skills Council) Education Action Zone and the East Sussex Learning Partnership.
Thirty-five year 11 pupils, struggling with a traditional school timetable, were given the opportunity to try out bite size vocational courses to encourage them to stay in school.
In the last eight months a total of 42 young people have taken part in workshops and 19 finished the TAP 11 course at the end of August. Of those who left the course early, the vast majority have gone back to full-time education to concentrate on their studies.
The Master Classes also began in November last year at The Grove School, in partnership with Tressell
Training, the Education Action Zone and the Greater Hollington Partnership.
Hillcrest School soon saw the benefits of the Master Classes and working with the Ore Valley Forum, Tressell and the Education Action Zone, offered the scheme to their own students.
The students had a go at taster vocational courses including gardening, cookery, carpentry, painting and decorating, IT and P4E (Preparation for Employment). All course tutors were from local businesses and all students have either gone on to further education, returned to full-time education or into employment.
Staff at the Council’s Tressell Training centre had even more reason to celebrate when they were awarded top marks from the OCR, an independent assessment body.
After a day’s inspection at the beginning of August, two inspectors gave Tressell A-grades for overall performance and Information Technology provision.
A 19-year-old from Hastings, has become the first young person in the town to be given a full time job by the training provider that guided her through a unique scheme.
She moved to Hastings from Essex with no idea where her future lay and low in self-esteem.
After signing on for several months she finally plucked up the confidence to go along to Tressell Training, in Havelock Road and see first hand how the organisation could give her a fresh start.
Some two years later the 19-year-old, has turned her life around, gained an NVQ and got a full-time job, all with the help and support of Tressell staff and training.
She said:
“When I heard about Tressell I wasn’t really sure but I really wanted the opportunity to earn my money so I went along. While I was training they gave me a work placement at Tressell. A job as a trainee clerical assistant became available and I applied and got it. It allowed me to keep doing my NVQ around my hours.”
After completing her level one NVQ in IT a full-time clerical assistant’s post came up at the Tressell offices and after fighting off stiff competition from 20 other applicants, she scooped the job.
She said:
“Tressell gave me a chance in life. I had no qualifications, no GCSEs but now I have my NVQ. The staff have supported me from the beginning and not just through training. They always told me not to worry and that I would get the NVQ.”
Her qualification was gained through the Entry to Employment scheme that runs at the centre.
The Entry to Employment manager explained:
“We are the only provider locally offering both the motivational and vocational aspects of Entry to Employment and we take on any young person providing we can meet their needs. Many of our learners have barriers preventing them from progressing into sustained employment with training and or FE and we work with them on these issues to ensure they have all the necessary skills they need to succeed and achieve their goals.”
Tressell Training offers practical courses and training for young people within Hastings.
There are a variety of courses and projects, all geared towards providing a positive future for participants and in the majority of cases, employment.
Projects include, Young Parents Into Training, and Tressell Alternative Provision (TAP).
Latest in the way of Tressell projects is Motorvation, aimed at young people, between 14 and 16 years old, at risk of not finishing school or achieving much in the way of qualifications.
This vocational alternative to a full-time school timetable gives youngsters the opportunity to carry out basic motor vehicle training, leading to a National Skills Profile Motor Vehicle qualification.
The course is designed to spark a general interest in learning and training, leading to personal and professional development.
Alongside the practical element there is also on offer guidance towards continuing studies at Plumpton College, Hastings College, apprenticeships or employment.
The project is funded by the Single Regeneration Budget and based at William Parker School’s motor vehicle workshop.
Council leader Jeremy Birch said:
“The Motorvation project offers a real alternative for young people, struggling with a traditional timetable. It means those that follow the scheme have a great opportunity to gain practical experience and qualifications, leading towards a career.”
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This page last updated: 29/09/2004