Rising bakery group kneads new talent

A growing Darlington bakery and café group is helping young people gain valuable workplace experience through a regional employment programme aimed at building skills and confidence.

Shape, a bakery and patisserie school in Darlington, has welcomed nine young people into roles across its expanding hospitality business through the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme.

The initiative supports people aged 18 to 21 who are not in education, employment or training by providing paid placements and work tasters with employers across the Tees Valley.

Shape forms part of a wider group of businesses owned by Catalin and Mariana Cirimpei, which includes Banqo, on the other side of Market Hall, Influence Café, on Skinnergate, and Number 8 Bakehouse, on Post House Wynd. 

The young recruits have been placed in a range of roles across the venues, from baking and barista work to bar and waiting staff positions.

Catalin said: “What we’re trying to achieve with this is taking as many as possible to create proper bakers.

“There is training related to pizza, cake baking, bread baking and the patisserie side of it, because there is a lack of talented people on the market.

“All the money our customers spend, we’re trying to reinvest in Darlington.

“I think this is a breath of fresh air for a local business.

“It's unbelievable that somebody thought about this programme to put young people to work and gain skills to be able to have full-time positions.

“It just hits the spot with what we want to do here.”

Gabriel Howard, 20, is an assistant chef at Shape, and started work in November with the help of the Trailblazer. 

Gabriel’s training saw him go from being a cooking novice to now knowing a raft of kitchen skills.

It also gave him the opportunity to get back on his feet.

He said: “I’m no longer homeless, I can afford rent, and it was one of the smoothest and most efficient ways of getting a job.

“It was just like that. I was on the street and now I'm going to work. It's a great workplace.”

Gabriel added: “You’ve got nothing to lose, and you've got everything to gain.

“I was out of work for three years and then within literally a day of hearing about this, I had a job interview.

“Go straight for it.”

Funded by the UK Government, the programme covers wages for placements lasting three to six months, helping reduce costs for employers while offering young people a pathway into lasting employment.

Delivered by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council on behalf of the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) and regional authorities, the scheme also offers training grants and skills support to help participants develop long-term career prospects.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen added: “This is exactly what the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is all about – giving local young people who just need a chance the opportunity to get into work, build skills and turn their lives around. 

“Seeing businesses like Shape not only take part but embrace the programme and invest in nine young people shows the real difference it can make.

“We want our young people in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool to know there is a future for them right here at home.

“By backing local employers and removing the financial barriers to taking someone on, we are creating real pathways into lasting jobs. 

“For many of these young people, this is the start of a career, not just a placement – and that is what this programme was designed to deliver.”

Councillor Lisa Evans, TVCA member for education, employment and skills, and leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, added: “The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is about building confidence, providing stability and offering long-term opportunities. 

“By fully funding placements and supporting additional training, we are making it easier for businesses to invest in young talent and for young people to gain the experience they need to succeed.

“It is fantastic to see a local business reinvesting in its town and committing to developing skills for the future.

“When employers and young people both benefit, it strengthens our communities and backs our businesses.”

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