I never would have thought that when I joined the year 12/13 shared learning programme at Palmersville Training I would have ended up going to work for Camp America but that is exactly what has happened.
After my GCSE’s I joined the shared learning programme which meant I continued going to school for two day a week and came to Palmersville Training for three days each week to work towards an NVQ in Warehousing. I continued on the programme for about six months and by then I was certain that I wanted to join Palmersville Training full time. So I joined their apprenticeship programme in Warehousing. I knew I had made the right decision. I have had two work placements since I swapped to full time work based learning. The first was at No Frills. I really enjoyed it; the staff were brilliant and treated me as part of the team. Next I got a placement at Asda in Benton. It’s great! I’ve gained more warehousing experience and I work with a really good group of lads of my own age. I’ve made loads of friends! As well as working at Asda, I spend 1 day a week in the training centre doing my Key skills. If you’d asked me a few months ago I would have told you that a full time job at Asda would be great but that was before I went on a residential to Ullswater with PalmersvilleTraining and everything changed!
The residential was brilliant. We got the chance to try out loads of different activities such as rock climbing, hiking, rafting to mention but a few. I got such a lot out of the whole experience; I really enjoyed the team work and it built up my confidence, gave me loads of energy and the chance to test my limits. In fact it set me thinking! I had always fancied being a holiday rep. I talked it over with my key worker, Andrew and he suggested the possibility of working for Camp America and helped me to start looking into it. I did a lot of research on the internet, applied and got a place. I’m going to Camp America in New England or possibly Carolina in May. I’ll work as a sports Leader for the summer. I may even get the opportunity to do Lifeguard training! I can’t wait!
By the time I set off for America I will have completed my warehousing apprenticeship which will be so important when I come home to look for a job. But that’s all in the future. Soon I’m off to The U.S.A and who knows what that will lead to!
Danny Davies
Lorrin Hollinshead, who joined the hairdressing programme at Palmersville Training in September 2008, has a head start on the path to becoming a qualified hairdresser.