OILY rags and open bonnets will be commonplace for Blackpool-based Nathan Whitmore this winter as his mechanic's career changes gear with the Learning Agreement Pilot.
Nathan has just begun his Level 2 Apprenticeship in Motor Vehicle Maintenance, whilst on the Learning Agreement Pilot which offers training packages tailored to meet the needs of both employers and their employees who are not currently engaged in acc
redited training.
Delivered by CXL and funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the Learning Agreement Pilot has helped 1,600 young people in Lancashire and has engaged 1,000 employers.
Having completed a Level 1 in Motor Vehicle Maintenance at college, Nathan, pictured above, went straight into employment lured by the instant financial benefits it brought.
However he was soon disappointed by the lack of long-term training opportunities open to him as a low-skilled employee.
With the help of his sister, Nathan contacted CXL and he was soon put in touch with the Learning Agreement Pilot team, who were able to offer advice and guidance about how he could add to his mechanic's qualifications, whilst working in a learning agreement with an employer and earning a wage.
Less than two months later, Nathan is completing his apprenticeship with BAR Garage in Poulton who provide ongoing tuition supporting the classroom-learning Nathan gets one day a week at Blackpool and The Fylde College.
Roy Honeyman, CXL Personal Adviser, said: "As a promising mechanic, returning to training will really benefit Nathan's future – he may become the employer instead of the employee."
Nathan said "I'm enjoying my time at BAR, I've been gaining really good experience in all aspects – from assisting with MOTs to tyre changes.
The full article contains 291 words and appears in Blackpool Gazette newspaper.
