A recent Prince’s Trust participant at Ayrshire College has landed an engineering role with Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Ltd.
(pic and info via Ayrshire college news)
Trainee Engineer Zoe McCarlie, 18 from Ayr, went from Prince’s Trust to Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Ltd via a Sheet Metal Course at Ayrshire College, and credits the 12-week Prince’s Trust programme with sparking her interest in engineering.
The Prince’s Trust programme is geared towards improving young people’s skills and preparing them for the world of work or education.
Zoe’s older sister Dale, 22, encouraged her to get involved. Dale is a qualified Prince’s Trust Team Leader having progressed from the programme herself. After seeing how much Dale had gained from the programme, Zoe decided it was the best option for her last summer.
Zoe said “I left school in June and started looking at college courses on the advice of my careers advisor. However, I felt I needed to build up my confidence and communication skills before starting at the College.
“I decided to follow in the footsteps of my sister and enrol on the Prince’s Trust programme. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the group and feel that my self-esteem has improved, as well as my skills in leadership and team working.
“Towards the end of the programme I asked my Team Leader for career advice. He suggested a 10-week Sheet Metal Work course at Ayrshire College, which really appealed to me.
“Joining the Prince’s Trust at Ayrshire College has been one of the best things I have ever done as it has helped me start a career in engineering.”
Both sisters were invited to the Prince’s Trust’s headquarters in Glasgow before Christmas to meet with John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.
The Deputy First Minister heard Zoe and Dale describe their experiences of the Prince’s Trust and how they have achieved success on the back of the programme.
Tony Kane, Prince’s Trust Team Leader at Ayrshire College, said of Zoe “She joined the programme in June 2016 straight from school not knowing what she wanted to do with her life. She lacked confidence and needed some direction. Zoe was an amazing team member who was always there to support others.
“Previously Zoe’s sister Dale had engaged well with staff and others in her team. She started with low self-esteem but being given responsibility to lead and carry out tasks turned out to be the turning point for Dale as she became a different person, showing herself to be more confident and dynamic.
“Towards the end of the programme I decided that Dale should train as an Assistant Team Leader and remain with the programme supporting other young people by sharing her experiences which built up her own confidence and self-belief. Dale has flourished in these past years, and I’m very proud of her and Zoe.”