The Northampton North Team 62 continues to be inspired by Senior Team Leader Paul Hamblin who can lay claim to the fact that 8 out of 10 young people on his courses go on to jobs or Further Education courses leading to improved career prospects.
The last Team of 2019 included Jacob Greenway, aged 16, who has been offered a job with international company RICOH after taking part in work experience there as part of the programme designed to improve opportunities for young people.
“This is despite him not having a degree, a criteria for many entry-level jobs. It is because the company were able to meet Jacob, see him in the workplace and recognised his talents.
“Companies like Ricoh and Reed Employment effectively ask us for a reference about time-keeping and commitment regarding our young people and they trust us because we have a proven record of maintaining great relationships with employers,” said Paul, as ex-paratrooper turned adult trainer who leads from the front – particularly with abseiling which is one of the challenges the young people have to undertake as part of a residential week of the course.
“I don’t ask them to do anything I wouldn’t do myself – but as the weeks go by and when it comes to the final presentation I step back and let them speak for themselves.”
