YOUNG people who have turned their lives around with the help of specialist training attended a special celebration.

Training provider Skills Training UK welcomed back 19 learners aged 16-24.

They were presented with certificates to acknowledge their progress on Skills Training UK’s traineeship programmes.

They have gained employability skills, qualifications in English and maths, and have undertaken work placements with employers.

Many of the learners arrive at Skills Training UK with low confidence and some have faced challenging circumstances in their personal lives but with one to one support they are able to progress onto an apprenticeship, college or full-time employment.

Josh Emery, 20, from Hove, was recognised for Best Employer Feedback following his work with the homeless charity Shelter at its shop in Brighton.

He enrolled with Skills Training UK six months ago and has achieved qualifications in retail and customer service as well as English and maths.

He said: “Skills Training UK have helped me to be more confident.

“I wasn’t in a good place before I started here.

“I’ve had some mental health issues but the team has supported me and motivated me to get in to work.

“My dream is to work in music production so the traineeship has been a great stepping stone to achieving this.”

Skills Training UK’s Brighton Centre is based at Portslade Aldridge Community Academy.

It has close links with employers, schools, local authorities and other agencies, including housing and health, to ensure the hardest to reach young people are given a chance to take their first steps towards employment or continued learning.

Sam Cousins, branch manager at Shelter in Brighton, said: “We’re always looking for new volunteers so it’s great to work with Skills Training UK who help us to reach out to young people.”