Young people learn vital life skills
● YOUNG people from Runcorn and Widnes have imagined how the street of the future might look as they gained crucial skills courtesy of a training academy course led by Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service.
The project was part of The Prince’s Trust programme and involved a team of 13 teenagers and young adults aged 16 to 25.
They spent three weeks at Compliance And Skills Academy (COSAC) on Manor Park, working with staff and students from The University Of Chester, to develop a Smart Street concept.
The team completed design work and learned about planning and budgeting for a job, as well as workplace health and safety.
Their experience was rounded off with some hands-on experience in construction and painting.
Jason McTigue, Halton Prince’s Trust programme manager, said: “The team worked together with students from the University Of Chester on this project to design and create the street scene artwork.
“The space is now visually inspiring and will provide motivation and increased spatial awareness for future students to train in at COSAC.
“It was a vast space but they worked really hard and pulled out all the stops to get it finished on time and in budget.
“These young people have certainly grown in confidence thanks to COSAC and I’m really proud of them all.”
Chris Langford, chairman of LSG, which runs COSAC, said: “As the LSG group of businesses, and in this instance COSAC, we are delighted to have been involved, are proud to support this great cause.
“Not only have we now enhanced our workplace with this fantastic artistic design but also we have helped to support the development of young people from the local area which is so worthwhile and hopefully a great experience for all involved.”
Cllr Stef Nelson, Cheshire Fire Authority deputy chairman, attended the handover where he thanked COSAC and Chester University, and wished the young people good luck for the future.
To find out more about the project call Jason McTigue on 07817 691 030.