King's Lynn trainees take a bow before High Sheriff

Thirteen mechanical engineering trainees from Lynn got the VIP treatment when they met the county’s high sheriff and deputy lieutenant last week.

High sheriff Micheal Gurney and deputy lieutenant Mary Rudd joined staff, governors and trustees of high school academies, business people and those who work and volunteer to better the lives of young people, at Open Road West Norfolk in Rollesby Road on on Wednesday.

Open Road is a charity which boasts modern and well-equipped automotive and construction industries workshops in which to provide vocational training to young people who have otherwise struggled to settle in mainstream education.

During the evening trainees were presented with their industry-recognised vocational qualifications, which, because of the pandemic, have been attained during the most trying of times with restricted access to workshop tuition, social distancing and other Covid protocols causing disruption.

Despite that, the qualifications will now offer hope for these youngsters to find a route into gainful employment.

Presentations were made to Sage Prior, Valentinas Zigamantas, Dylan Jenkins-Drery, Dean Hall, Alfie Royle, Kieran Dye, Dylan Morgan and Damon Egmore, who each received their BTEC Level 1 Award in Construction.

Ryan Fisher and Saimonas Pupeikis received the IMI Award Level 1 in Transport Maintenance.

Josh Smith, Cameron Flack and Lewis Pearson received IMI Awards Level 1 Diploma in Transport Maintenance.

Open Road’s Terry Smith said: “The evening was all about the students. Despite a very tough year for these young people they’ve made an extraordinary effort to achieve their goal of a professional qualification.”

The High Sheriff’s visit was quite in keeping with a pledge made four months ago when he took office.

Mr Gurney said: “I want to focus on helping the vulnerable young from all communities which is especially important post pandemic. I hope to support all the statutory and voluntary organisations working to make young people's lives better.”

Mr Smith added: “Open Road continues to work with young people in both pre 16 and post 16 age groups. Programmes for the new school year are in place and new students are being engaged.

“However, we still have places available for students in both motor vehicle and construction industry training and we would urge academies, parents and young people to get in touch to secure a placement."

Open Road in Rollesby Road, Lynn, can be contacted by calling 01553 776600 or by emailing office@openroadtraining.co.uk.