Partner Article

Educationalists look to make a difference

TWO adult education specialists, who met as hairdressing trainees 25 years ago, have launched a new project to help young people in Teesside who have been excluded from mainstream education.

Susan Walker and Michelle Deen have set up MaSters Training Centre in Thornaby, offering qualifications and training in beauty and hairdressing as well as help with numeracy, literacy and employability skills. With backing from UK Steel Enterprise, the Corus-subsidiary that supports new and growing businesses, the building has been refurbished and new training equipment installed.

“Many young people who have been excluded from mainstream education feel as though there are no options open to them,” said Susan Walker. “Our Centre will offer the opportunity to train in a new career and also provide key life-skills training, support and a new start. We are even providing a Breakfast Club to make sure that they have a healthy start to their day.”

UK Steel Enterprise provided a £3,500 loan towards flooring and equipment such as mirrors, showers and a specially designed sink to equip the beauty training area.

Regional Manager Simon Hamilton said: “We were very impressed with Susan and Michelle’s enterprising project and there is no doubt that the Centre will benefit a lot of young people and increase their chances of getting employment.”

Once the UK Steel Enterprise backing was secured, Susan Walker approached Stockton-based Floors 2 Go to purchase laminate flooring for the building and was thrilled when Assistant Manager Mark Turner offered to support the project by providing the flooring at trade prices.

“When Susan told me about the Centre I wanted to help as much as I could,” explained Mark, 25. “I was excluded from school and causing trouble when I was young and it was a Centre like this one that supported me and helped me turn my life around. I know how important this work is and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to make the money go further.”

After leaving hairdressing, Susan and Michelle both had successful careers in adult education and worked with the young and unemployed.

“We realised that we wanted to run our own Centre,” Susan said, “but it can be daunting launching something on your own. We are very grateful for the support we have had from UK Steel Enterprise, from Mark and many others too.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .