Michael Romyn

ENGAGING hard to reach young people and helping them move towards independence is the overriding goal for a new vocational training initiative in Tunbridge Wells.

The Horizon Project, run by the West Kent YMCA, has recently expanded its programme to the TN2 Community Centre in Sherwood where young men and women aged between 13 and 25 can learn plumbing and electrician skills.

With centres offering carpentry and joinery in Tonbridge and painting and decorating in Edenbridge, the new Sherwood facility has increased the capacity for young people in West Kent to learn practical and life skills.

For many, the Horizon Project is a second chance; a number of youths involved in the scheme between the age of 14-16 have been permanently excluded from school.

For others still at school, the programme gives them a chance to try more hands-on, practical training for a couple of days each week.

Project manager Angi Agopian, who has worked on the Horizon Project for the last two years, said there was a clear need for the initiative to be expanded into Tunbridge Wells.

She added: "Both people from the community and from schools in the area said there was a need for it, especially in Sherwood.

"We started up in September and so far we have seen a lot progress.

"A lot of kids in this area are just sitting around at home or hanging about in the street. Horizon is a great place for them to learn something new and get some qualifications. It is all about giving them ownership of their lives."

The project is also open to school leavers aged between 16 and 19 on the Learning and Skills Council funded Entry to Employment programme.

Currently there are 11 youths enrolled in training at the TN2, all working towards the City and Guilds level one qualification.

One of them is 14-year-old Ryan Derrick from Showfields estate, who attends the programme twice a week around school.

He said: "When I first came here I was really shy and I didn't know anybody but now I am getting on with most of the group and really enjoying it."

As well as vocational training the youths are taught maths, English, sexual health and are given one-to-one IT sessions.

Sixteen-year-old Lee Young and Nathan Wootten, 15, were working with tutor Tim Metcalf on the computers to find spare bike parts with the intention of setting up a cycle repair shop on site.

Mrs Agopian said self-started projects such as the bike shop gave the youths a valuable lesson in independence and responsibility.

She added: "We want to help their development in all areas of life and give them a bright future. Many of the young people go on to West Kent College and some of them get apprenticeships and jobs. It's all about progression."

For more information telephone 01892 544 266 or visit the Horizon Project website by logging on to www.this iskent.co.uk/tunbridgewells and click through on this story's link.