Knockout blow for joblessness

Charlie Henson at Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre “The course is helping me stay on the right tracks and give me new skills.”

A PIONEERING scheme is delivering a knockout punch to youth unemployment in Oldham.

Boxing is NEET (not in education, employment, or training) is run by staff at Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre in Derker and has so far helped 70 youngsters find work, training or further education.

The programme includes taster sessions, accredited training, interview and job application workshops and an introduction to computers course.

Various subjects are covered, including anger management, personal effectiveness, exercise, sport and leisure studies and fitness industry studies.

Eric Noi, Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre’s director, said: “This is about helping people to make changes in their lives.

“The training gives young people skills and experiences that they can turn into a long-term career in something they enjoy.

“I’m a firm believer in the fact that learning can happen anywhere — it doesn’t always need to take place in the usual school or college environments. If we can make learning happen right in the heart of our communities, then we can engage some of the people who it might not otherwise appeal to.”

Charlie Henson, who is taking part in the scheme, says: “If you’d have asked me a few years ago, what future I had, I’d have said not a very good one.

“But I’ve worked my way up to be a volunteer coach at Oldham Boxing Centre and I’m really proud of that.

“The course is helping me stay on the right tracks and give me new skills. I’m trying to be a good example for all the children that I coach.”

The programme is run in conjunction with Oldham College, the council’s lifelong learning service and a host of other training providers who are offering training at the boxing club’s own study centre. All materials, equipment and support are provided.

To join the course or for further details, go to info@oldhamboxing.co.uk, call 0161-621 8466/6869 or contact Oldham College on 0161-785 5445