When 18-year-old Peter left college early, he found himself in a place many young people can relate to, unsure of what to do next.
“I was studying Business, Economics and Environmental Science,” Peter said. “But I lost interest, and I didn’t have a backup plan. I’ve got the capacity to do well, but the classroom environment just didn’t work for me.”
For months, Peter stayed at his home in Lowestoft with nothing to do. That’s when he got referred to Inspire, and began one-to-one sessions with Youth Employment Coach Tony.
“Tony helped me build a CV, write a cover letter, and we looked at local jobs,” Peter said. “But I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do long-term. I realised I didn’t just want a job, I needed a career. That’s when we started looking into apprenticeships.”
Working together, they explored different sectors. Tony also set Peter up a meeting with a careers advisor who spoke to him about working in engineering in the energy sector.
“That’s when it clicked,” Peter said, and started the steps in his new career.
He applied for an engineering apprenticeship in Beccles and also secured a place at college in Norwich for a Mechanical Engineering T-level. “I’m just waiting to see what happens now, but either way, I’ve got a plan.”
Alongside career support, Inspire also helped Peter with his social skills. He started attending the Social Space drop in, and he soon found himself comfortable to start volunteering at the youth Club drop in on a Friday.
“It’s really helped my confidence. When I left college, I felt stuck in the house with nowhere to go,” he said. “Volunteering gave me something to focus on.”
Speaking about the changes Inspire has made in his life, Peter added: “Tony’s helped me a lot with confidence, especially in dealing with rejection.
“I’ve learned how to write a CV, how to apply for jobs, and how to keep going.
“Inspire’s helped me build skills I can use for life. It’s made a big difference.”
Find out more about our Youth Employment Service here.
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