Prince’s Trust helps young people achieve – Ross

Junior Minister Alastair Ross today launched the Prince’s Trust Achieve programme at Malone College, Belfast.

Junior Minister, Alastair Ross gets a quick selfie with some of the pupils rom Malone Integrated College during his visit.

The programme focuses on supporting 13-19 year olds who experience personal barriers that may prevent them from engaging in education.

Junior Minister Ross said: “The 4,000 young people who are taking part in this innovative programme will be better placed to take the next step on their education or employment journey. The Programme is hugely successful in supporting those young people who, for many reasons, are at risk of disengaging from education.

 “The skills and qualities developed by each of the young people taking part will stand them in good stead whether they choose to move on into education, employment or training, and help them reach their full potential.

 “Educational underachievement is an issue that needs to be addressed. The young people taking part in the programme, from over 100 schools and centres across Northern Ireland, will benefit tremendously by gaining the skills they need to succeed.”

Mark Dougan, Northern Ireland Director at The Prince’s Trust, said: “The Achieve programme will build on the legacy of The Trust’s xl programme to address the critical issue of educational underachievement across Northern Ireland. In 2015/16, 93% of the young people who completed xl progressed into education, employment or training. This included 12% progressing into employment and 82% into training and further education. With the new and improved Achieve programme we will be able to support even more young people to fulfil their potential.”

 More information about how a school, college or alternative education provider can deliver the Achieve programme can be found on The Prince's Trust website.

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