fbpx Haynes Mechanix Launches - London Youth

14 April 2014

Monday 14 April

Last week saw the start of the Haynes Mechanix scheme which will see young people aged 15 and over from member organisation Prospex Youth Club take part in an intensive seven week course where they will learn how to maintain and repair a car.

We are working alongside Haynes Publishing Group who are fully funding and supplying all the car manuals for the course. The young people will also have the opportunity to gain a City and Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Employability and Personal Development.

Rosie Ferguson, Chief Executive of London Youth said: "Young people want opportunities to try new things, work as a team and develop practical skills in places they trust and choose to go. We’re delighted that Haynes Publishing are responding to this need by supporting a pilot project at Prospex, one of our member youth clubs in Islington."

Richard Frankland, Youth Services Manager, Prospex added: “I remember getting my first car and the pleasure it gave working on the engine in evenings and at weekends and the satisfaction and sense of achievement when a problem was fixed.

“It will give young people the chance to get their hands dirty and learn basic mechanics for themselves. It will increase their confidence, show commitment and also gain accreditation which is always a benefit for their CVs. We are looking forward to seeing how the programme develops.”

In the first week of the project young people have already started work on the car and started to learn about car maintenance and repair. There were also trips down to Mercedes World and race track Brands Hatch which were both hugely enjoyed by the young people and the last day of the first week saw J Haynes, Group Chairman of Haynes Publishing, pop down to meet the young people and give them some advice on working with the car.

He said: “This educational partnership will hopefully promote the ‘do-it-yourself’ mentality and entrepreneurial spirit that we at Haynes have been so proud of since we were founded 54 years ago.

“As well as learning new technical and life skills and getting a respected and widely recognised qualification, we hope this project will help the young people to realise their potential, giving them the confidence (in themselves) and motivation to seek future employment.”

You can follow the progress of the project on its website http://www.haynes.co.uk/haynesmechanix/ and on twitter at #HaynesMechanix or on @ProspexTweets.

You can also hear from Jonathan and Symeon who are both taking part in the project in the audio box below.

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