News : LSC Award (31/10/2007)
Melissa was presented with the Construction, Manufacturing and Engineering award at the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North East's Celebration of Learning and Skills (CoLaS) awards 2007 after becoming the first person to pass the full construction qualification at Springboard North East.
She often had to change her clothes and heat her food at Springboard's Pallion workshop, but still completed a level one qualification in literacy, alongside projects in joinery and
painting and decorating.
She is working towards an Apprenticeship at Sunderland College.
"I was living at home but we just weren't getting on so I moved out," said Melissa, 19.
"I was not actually on the streets but I didn't have my own place so I was sleeping at friends places"
Moving from one friend to another meant she struggled to make it in on time, but Springboard staff gave her an extension.
For Melissa, who left school without any qualifications, getting the certificate was a big day.
"It gave me a real sense of achievement," she said.
Now about to move into her own place and getting on better with mum and dad, she has been back to Springboard to encourage the other trainees to stick in at their work.
Chris Roberts, Regional Director, LSC North East, said:
"Melissa is a fantastic role model for young people who are facing adversity and are perhaps unsure of their career choices."
The Construction, Engineering and Manufacturing award, sponsored by ConstructionSkills, was just one of 10 presented at the Sage, Gateshead.
