South West Minister Jim Knight met representatives from City of Bristol College’s award-winning Education Unlimited project to see how it is helping young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETS).

The Regional Minister visited the College Green Centre on Thursday 11 March to meet young people who are currently involved in the project as well their advisers and people from partner organisations that deliver bespoke activities.

Inspiring young people

Running since 2002 and supported with ESF funding, the project is designed to inspire young people to overcome their barriers while developing personal, social and vocational skills.

In December, Education Unlimited won the prestigious Association of Colleges’ Beacon Award under the ‘Widening Participation’ category.

The College delivers Education Unlimited through its own staff supported by a number of external partners. This helps to reach non-traditional community sites and ensures wide accessibility and a diversity of provision.

Education Unlimited

Education Unlimited programmes are individual, flexible and measurable. ‘Buddies’ are used to identity a young person’s requirements from which a learning plan is created to include courses such as creative arts, music technology, sports, young parenting, numeracy and literacy and job clubs. Short projects that respond to learners’ needs can also be commissioned and include construction, hair and beauty and administrative skills.

Paul Mitton, Education Unlimited Manager, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister to City of Bristol College to meet some of the young people, staff and community partners involved in Education Unlimited.

“We are extremely proud of the achievements of Education Unlimited both in terms of the measurable outcomes, such as the number of young people we have helped gain qualifications and progress onto further education or training, plus other, less quantifiable and more personal, benefits such as increased confidence, self esteem and motivation coupled with raised expectations.”