Young people from Mansfield and Ashfield were congratulated for their efforts towards an employability programme that has seen them progress to positive new beginnings.

Accelerate — a six-week motivational programme devised by the Inspire and Achieve Foundation — has seen 11 unemployed people aged from 18-24 get involved in a range of activities designed to improve their employability prospects.

Mansfield District Council chairman, Coun Martin Wright, congratulated graduates who received certificates of achievement at a celebration at Mansfield Town Football Club’s Kevin Bird Suite.

Over the six weeks, the students developed team work and confidence as well as preparing for interviews and gaining tips on what various employers want from new recruits.

They have now progressed on to a range of diverse new starts including going on to a Prince’s Trust programme, enrolling on to college courses, securing employment, starting sector-based warehouse training with the Co-operative Group, and going on to take part in a volunteering programme.

One has gone on to become the first female welder, following work experience with Sutton engineering firm Lindhurst Engineering Ltd.

Director of the foundation, Pippa Carter, said: “It’s difficult to quantify what each young person gets out of a course like Accelerate because their journeys are so different. One young person may have struggled with confidence issues or poor motivation, whereas the next may be struggling with acceptable behaviours or personal presentation.

“The foundation spends a lot of time working one-to-one with young people on Accelerate and it’s amazing to see how much progress these people have made, and a genuine delight to see so many of them with positive progressions planned.”

The Inspire and Achieve Foundation, supported by West Nottinghamshire College’s Ashfield Centre, helps young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training, by helping them work towards a positive future. It provides structured activities that improve people’s approach, attitude and behaviours towards education, employment and voluntary work, and helps them to overcome any barriers to progression they may have.

Go to www.inspireachieve.co.uk for more information.

Pictured are director of Inspire and Achieve Pippa Carter (far left) next to the chairman of Mansfield District Council, Coun Martin Wright, with participants of Accelerate and chairman and chair of trustees Andrew Tucker (far right).