Arriva helps support Prince’s Trust Team programme in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service held a special event at Watford Fire Station to thank the bus company Arriva for their on-going support for the Prince’s Trust Team programme delivered locally by the fire service.

Arriva is providing free bus passes for the 90 young people taking part in the programme, a 12-week personal development course aimed at 16-25 year olds which aims to give young people the skills and experience needed to build their confidence and motivation to find work, further education or training.

Richard Thake, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “We’re very grateful to Arriva for the support they’re providing. It makes a big difference to the young people taking part, some of whom wouldn’t be able to get to the course otherwise.

“The Prince’s Trust Team programme demonstrates how the county council’s fire and rescue teams can lead by example and pro-actively engage with young people. The skills these youngsters gain can boost their confidence and motivation, helping them to find jobs. It’s a great example of how we are helping local people to thrive and prosper.”

Paul Adcock, Managing Director of Arriva the Shires Ltd said: “We are very pleased to support Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service by providing free travel for their Prince’s Trust teams. We hope that all the young people will soon find employment and will continue to use our services for work and leisure travel.”
 

The Prince’s Trust programme involves: 

• a residential team-building week
• a community project
• interview and presentation skills
• help with CV writing
• help with gaining work experience placements and references.

Many of the young people who have already attended the course continue with college courses, work experience, volunteering placements and sometimes job offers and apprenticeships they secured while on the programme.

One of the people at the event was Anton Cattini, who completed the course last year. Since then, Anton has successfully applied for a job with Hertfordshire County Council and is now passing on his experiences to other young people as the assistant team leader on the Prince’s Trust Team Programme in Cheshunt.

Anton said: “I hope that I can encourage and inspire future team members to give 100 percent as I am proof that the programme can be life changing.”

(Source: Hertfordshire County Council)