Trade Skills visit by MP

MP for Macclesfield, David Rutley, has learnt how a local company are supporting young people facing challenges in a school environment, by offering them vocational training.

Trade Skills, based on London Road Terrace in Macclesfield, offers an alternative curriculum provision aimed at young people who are currently out of education, excluded or at risk of exclusion. Also providing a safe learning environment for both statemented and non-statemented students with Special Educational Needs, the organisation offers a unique approach to both informal and fully inclusive work-related learning.

David met with Managing Director, Paul Keenan, and Manager, Mike McNamara, at their site, to discuss the work the group do with young people in Macclesfield, and to discuss ways in which awareness of their services can be raised with local schools and other organisations.

Trade Skills offers training in a number of trades, including bricklaying and trowel skills, carpentry and plastering. Often, fifteen young people will be attending at any one time.

Speaking following the meeting, David said, “It was great to find out more about the important work which Trade Skills is doing in Macclesfield. Trade Skills offer an alternative environment to young people, where they can discover their potential, in a way which the conventional classroom might not be able to provide. I would like to thank Paul and Mike for their hard work, and wish them every success for the future.”