East Durham College is thrilled to announce the launch of Project Sliding Door, a new initiative between the college’s Engage programme, Durham County Council and Peterlee police designed to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and the world of the work.
The project gives five young people aged 14 to 16 who are part of the college’s Engage programme the chance to take part in a 6-month project headed up by Durham County Council. The students will work on the £2m refurbishment of the Peterlee Leisure Centre and Library, where they will learn a wide variety of skills such as plastering and joinery in a real working environment.
At the Engage programme, year 10 and year 11 students who are struggling with mainstream education are given another chance to succeed through an alternative education programme, designed to get the best out of them. Project Sliding Door furthers East Durham College’s commitment to the Engage programme, giving students real work experience during their time at the college.
Greg Cocoran from Engage said: “Project Sliding Door is a fantastic opportunity for these young people to learn about the world of work and the requirements to gain an apprenticeship or paid work. We are really proud of these young people and their ongoing efforts taking part in this project.”
On 30th November, the five students involved in Project Sliding Door also got the opportunity to meet the H.M Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon. Mrs Snowdon was conducting a visit of Peterlee with a focus on the youth and working partnerships in the area.
