Shaal at Gateway Media

Shaal had always loved and wanted to make films but having got distracted at college and done badly in exams, he ended up working in his brother’s take-away restaurant. He took a media course with City Gateway and loved finally getting a hands on chance to explore his passion. He literally jumped at the chance to do an apprenticeship. Four months later and Shaal was in the Genesis Cinema watching the première of a short film he’d made on mental health for local charity Crossroads Counselling.

Mina at the Lansbury Lodge Crèche

Mina had done a range of courses at our women’s project, building up her skills and confidence, but was determined to train for a career in childcare. She secured an NVQ training course through our partners the Tower Project and chose to carry out her placement in our own crèche, an environment in which she felt confident and safe. Mina has continued with public-speaking training and now has the confidence and skills to go out and get a job when her course ends.

Reiss at Manchester University

Reiss had been unemployed for months when he joined the Export course. He learnt quickly and developed a real hunger to succeed, volunteering as a teaching assistant when his course finished. Reiss won a scholarship and went back to college to do a one year A Level study programme; inspired by some of the lawyers he had met through insight tours at City Gateway, he is now at Manchester University studying for a degree in Law.

Ashraf at Allen & Overy

Ashraf didn’t know what he wanted to do when he came to City Gateway but undertook taster sessions in IT, media and sports. He devoted himself to our IT training and went on to receive a work placement with Allen & Overy where he impressed so much he was eventually offered a staff contract. Ashraf has recently moved on to work for Slaughter and May and is enjoying a fruitful career based there.

Jason at the Marriott gym

Jason was unable to find work and connected with City Gateway by volunteering at Limehouse Youth Centre. He engaged with the sports team there and was soon running drop-in sessions at the centre’s community gym. Progression followed into an NVQ level 2 fitness qualification and work experience at a City YMCA gym. With a reference behind him, Jason was able to get a job at the Marriott Hotel gym where he now works and is being paid to study further fitness qualifications.

Zubeda at Lansbury Lodge

Zubeda came to City Gateway lacking in confidence and too shy to think about anything other than working with children. Her time on the Export course developed her skills, aspirations and transformed her confidence. After the course she chose to stay on as an apprentice and began to work at Lansbury Lodge, taking on an administration placement at our women’s project.

Brent at Denton Wilde Sapte

Brent had no qualifications or work experience when he started on an Engage course. He successfully worked his way through our complete youth training programme but crashed out of a work placement when an unreported medical condition made him regularly fall asleep at his desk. Brent got a second chance through our ITQ apprenticeship scheme which helped him build qualifications and work experience at a partner law firm.