Trade skills course is facing closure over lack of funds
A TRADE skills course designed for kids who are out of mainstream education faces closure due to lack of funding.
Trade Skills is a social enterprise, based in Macclesfield, which offers construction skills training for young people who are out of education, excluded or at risk of exclusion.
But a lack of financial support and reduced school budgets means the course, which has a 90 per cent success rate, may come to an end.
Mike McNamara, who set up the course 10 years ago, said: “We’ve been based in Macclesfield for a long time now and we’re very successful.
“We tend to work with the more difficult kids who are struggling to stay in mainstream education.
“To get on an apprenticeship you need to have three GCSEs, but these kids aren’t able to get that. This BTEC course gives them the necessary qualifications to go on to do more - I;ve got a 90 per cent success rate of kids going back into education, employment or apprenticeships, which is brilliant considering these kids were refusing to go to school.”
But Mike said a lack of funding means fewer schools are referring pupils to the course, which means there is less funding for the materials required to complete the training. He said: “We need more kids to be referred, schools need to make the most of us. I get a lot of enquiries from schools, but when they go to ask for the funding they get told no.” Mike added that they also need sponsors and donors.
He said: “As well as asking schools to make the best use of the facilities available at Trade Skills, we’re appealing for other forms of support, be it information on funding streams or sponsorship from other organisations.”
A generous donation from MKM building supplies, based on Queens Avenue, has been a huge boost for the course.
He said: “My biggest cost is materials, so the donation of materials from MKM will enable our students to apply their skills in building and joinery.”
Peter Gibson, director of the Macclesfield’s branch of MKM, added: “We are delighted to donate the materials to Trade Skills in order that our potential customers of the future may develop their skills and education.”
If you are able to offer support contact Mike McNamara on 07890 931382.