CLACTON PAINTS’ BUSINESS GIVES YOUNGSTERS A CHANCE

27 April 2007

A Clacton business owner says that more local businesses should give young school leavers a chance of a job and make training available so that they become useful employees.

Jan Climpson, who runs the family business Old Road Paints with her husband Stuart and son Mark, has just employed Joe Benson, aged 17, from Point Clear, as a second recruit who’ll train on an Apprenticeship and gain valuable qualifications in customer service as he works. Another employee Sky Bultitude, age 19, who lives in Nayland Drive in Clacton, has just completed his Apprenticeship in Customer Care and is doing well.

Joe and Sky had left school with no qualifications. They had both attended local training company TBG Learning, whose ‘Entry to Employment’ programme boosts the confidence of school leavers through help in basic skills, advice on careers and work experience. TBG Learning also arranged a DIY course for Joe, which got him interested in doing a work placement at Old Road Paints, which led to the job offer.

“We’re proud of what Sky and now Joe are achieving - the qualifications are important when they haven’t achieved any at school, because they prove they can do the job. More businesses should give local young people a chance like we do”, said Jan Climpson, Old Road Paints, which has been established for 34 years and supplies domestic and trade customers with paints and wall coverings.

Joe Benson, who lives in Point Clear, said “I enjoy it here and am grateful to TBG Learning and to Old Road Paints for giving me the opportunity of a job and training.”

TBG Learning can be contacted on 01255 430053 or drop into the Centre at 103-105 Carnarvon Road, Clacton-on-Sea. For TBG Learning in Colchester telephone 01206 366341 or drop into the Centre at Portal House, 27 Southway, Colchester.