Bridport youngsters get to grips with new skills (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Bridport youngsters get to grips with new skills

10:10am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News By Rene Gerryts

YOUNGSTERS have been in training to learn the rudiments of woodwork, metalwork, electrics and plumbing.

Bridport Transition Skills put on its third week-long skills course for unemployed youngsters.

Tutors helping them included John Johnston from Harbour Bonfield, Terry McCormack from GR Edwardes and film maker Robert Golden.

Mr Golden gave advice to the trainees on the next steps to finding suitable work and developing their skills.

He told them: “It's not your fault there are no jobs. What you still have is your culture and your creativity, and developing this is your most important task.”

Trainees, Natasha Butcher, aged 20, won enormous praise from all the trainers.

Former Beaminster School pupil Tasha used to help her grandfather in his shed and was really used to handling tools.

She was praised for aptitude for working with metal, extremely accurate measuring and quick work.

Natasha hopes to be a mentor herself on the next BTS course.

One of her mentors said: “Tasha got on very well with everyone and she hopes to be a mentor herself.

“In the meantime she went home to fix the light switch in a lamp at home and plans to start designing/making her own products.

“Last year she helped to make twenty Christmas trees out of driftwood. Her practical sense and accurate use of tools will make her an excellent role model, both as a mentor in the next BTS course and in creating new designs.

Trainee Dan Smith, who has trained as a motor mechanic, was given plenty of ideas on how to find a job for his skills.

Danny Sullivan, who has trained as a film maker, was very inspired by Mr Golden who suggested a dual approach of continuing to foster his own creativity, if only with a mobile phone camera and to accept any post in films which will get his foot in the door, however lowly.

A previous trainee, Ricky Anderson, has taken a full apprenticeship with Premier Inn after following the skills’ course.