Skating inspires the career that Jack built
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
ESF Funding: Convergence, Department for Work and Pensions
ESF Target Group: Young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
Jack Latham Byrne had struggled at school because of dyslexia and left with no qualifications so his future was not looking good, especially when an apprenticeship with a Cornwall based carpenter fell through. Fortunately for him a youth worker in Newquay handed him a flyer about XtraVert, a learning programme aimed at young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). 23 year old Jack is now not only succeeding in a carpentry business but mentors other young people to support them into training and work.
XtraVert Social Enterprise was set up in 2009 and this summer moved to Wooden Waves in Newquay, through RIO (Real Ideas Organisation). RIO is one of the partners that deliver Cornwall Works for Social Enterprise which receives European Social Fund Convergence investment through Jobcentre Plus and is managed by Cornwall Development Company on behalf of Cornwall Council. XtraVert uses skating to attract young people into carpentry skills training; the programme focuses on learning through doing-building skate ramps to acquire the skills needed to pursue a career in carpentry.
Jack says, “It just worked for me, simple as. I got 100% attendance which I have never got for anything, ever – but it was because I enjoyed it. It was hands on practice, working things out rather than being told.
Along with all the young people on the XtraVert programme Jack graduated with flying colours and as a result set up a social enterprise carpentry business with two fellow graduates – Matt Duff, 23, and James Follett, 21.
Growing from the course, the XtraVert Social Enterprise designs, builds and sells skate ramps, wooden surfboards and more. As part of the business, Jack has gone on to complete his carpentry NVQ levels 1 and 2 and has taken on responsibility for drumming up new commissions and promoting XtraVert’s services.
“With XtraVert it’s so much more than just carpentry,” says Jack. “I’ve learned business skills too, like networking, costing and branding, I’ve met people I would never had met and am trying things I’d never have tried, it’s really rewarding.”
Another benefit is that Jack is now helping to run learning programmes in schools with young people, introducing them to woodwork first hand.
“It’s great to see kids, naughty kids like I was, really getting into something,” he says, “they relate to us, because we’re not teachers, because we’re like them. It’s good to see the kids that really need it come away motivated and with an idea for the future. It proves that learning doesn’t have to be academic, that there are different ways forward for everyone.”
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, says, “This ESF supported programme is all about using social enterprise settings as an effective means of engaging, inspiring and upskilling people who are furthest from the labour market and who have the biggest barriers to overcome. Congratulations Jack on everything that you and your colleagues have achieved and the support you are now giving to young people.”
Since its inception XtraVert has won a Convergence Employment and Skills award at the 2010 SW ESF Awards and Jack himself was one of three to meet the Department of Work and Pensions young people policy team when they visited Jobcentre Plus in Cornwall earlier this year (2011).