Testimonials

Former Student Story - Alec
I was always getting into trouble at school, skipping classes, and talking back to teachers.  SkillForce showed me another way. They showed me how to look at things differently, and whatever I want to do, I can do.  They showed me that if I worked hard, if I disciplined myself I could get out of my situation and become something.

I have recently won a place on an engineering apprenticeship thanks to SkillForce. The qualifications I gained and the communication skills I learned got me successfully through my apprenticeship interview.  SkillForce really changed my life. 
 
Student Story – Liam
Looking back before SkillForce, I had been suspended from school 3 times and got into a fight every single week.  I was failing in my classes.  School was a waste of time.

With SkillForce I now enjoy learning.  The Instructors are friendly and have helped me with my social skills. I’ve made lots of new friends and have achieved a great deal. What I like best is being presented with my certificates at the School award ceremony.  That would never have happened before.

People look at me differently now.  Almost everyone I know, including teachers, say that I have changed and that I will do well.  If it hadn’t been for SkillForce, I think I would have ended up permanently excluded from school.

Thanks SkillForce for helping me get my life on track.

A Letter from a student- Lucy
Dear Tracy Pepper,

I am Lucy Haynes and I am a student at Walmer science college and take part in the skill force programme.                              

I would like to thank you for allowing us to go on a very educated trip to the landing D-Day points in Normandy France. I found it very interesting and I learnt a lot. The knowledge I have gained will hopefully stay with me for me to share to other pupils around our school. Richard Morgan I would like to have a special mention I would like to thank him for he organising he did to get us their with out him we would of not got that far. Thank you
Lucy Haynes   

Principal Testimonial
"Longfield Academy first started working with Skillforce in September 2009 having scoured the market for suitable alternative education providers. It was our strong view that Skillforce was by far the best option and we haven't changed our mind since.

The quality of the instructors is outstanding. They are wholly dedicated to working with disaffected young people and passionate about their achievement. The support that we receive from the Skillforce leadership team is excellent. They are always on hand to discuss developments and are open and flexible in the way that they work with the school. Skillforce have a very professional approach and share our high standards and expectations. The strong 'services' ethos permeates their work and contributes to a culture of continual improvement.

They have made our vocational pathway a highly appealing option for Key Stage 4 students and their parents and are already producing noticeably positive outcomes for students who may otherwise have struggled to achieve at this level. I cannot recommend them enough as a superb alternative education provider who provide excellent value for money. We are already looking at ways of extending our Skillforce provision as the results so far have more than lived up to our own high expectations."

Simon Beamish- Principal
Longfield Academy, Kent

A Father’s Story- Robert
My name is Robert and I have a teenage daughter in the SkillForce programme.

As a parent, I was worried about Kelly’s future when she left school.  She just didn’t seem that interested in her classes and we would argue about her lack of motivation.  That all changed when she joined SkillForce.

Kelly absolutely loves going into school now and working with the SkillForce team.  It has kept her focused and without doubt, brought out the best in her.

Kelly has grown in confidence and has gained valuable knowledge over a broad range of life skills which will stand her in good stead.  At a recent awards evening, I was absolutely stunned by the immense amount of work Kelly had produced, and the many certificates and achievements she gained along the way.

SkillForce is a brilliant and professional organisation. It was the best decision we’ve ever made for our daughter’s education.

A Mothers Letter
"Hi Kevin (Oldham Team Leader), hope you don't mind me contacting you as I wanted to thank and congratulate you on this fantastic project. My son has recently completed the programme and the change in him has been unbelievable. I would like you to pass on my thanks to Darren and Garry(SkillForce Instructors) who have managed to get through to my son and change his whole attitude and outlook when all else has failed. The work they have put in to this course is relentless and the results are an absolute credit to them both.

My son has thoroughly enjoyed it and applied himself one hundred percent. This course has been so valuable to him and I'm sure many others and the lessons he has learnt will be so valuable in his future both in and out of school. I am so very grateful and delighted that My son now believes he can achieve and is focused on his future. My son would also like to pass his thanks on to Darren and Garry who he has respected and understands how valuable this experience has been for him.

Thanks."Jane Stanhope

Case Studies

Lee- SkillForce Graduate
When Lee started the SkillForce programme it was clear that he did not have a lot of self-confidence or motivation.  During team sports and activities, he only did enough to keep with the group, but he was not a leader.

As his time with SkillForce went on, Lee’s confidence grew and he started to take a more active role and began to organise teams for sports, and encouraged and supported his peers when playing games and during activities.

Lee achieved all that was set in front of him.  He has gone on to study mechanics at Abingdon College.

 “Before I started on the SkillForce course, my attitude towards school and work was appalling.  I would turn up late and I didn’t want to do any of the work.  Now after completing the course my attitude has improved towards learning and authority.  My skills at working with other people have improved greatly and also my confidence and how I organise myself.”

Javen-SkillForce Graduate
Javen arrived on the SkillForce programme a very troubled and volatile boy who had negative experiences of school and authority.  He was deemed at very high risk of permanent exclusion and unlikely to make it to year 11.

His initial reaction to SkillForce was negative where he continually pushed boundaries for attention.  Over several months and with consistent and effective mentoring, Javen started to enjoy his SkillForce experience and engage with the work and activities without behaviour or attention seeking issues.  Without the tireless work and patience of his SkillForce instructors, it is likely Javen would not have stayed in school, which he openly acknowledges.

Javen is now looking forward to a positive future with his own aspirations and dreams, which were not evident 18 months ago.  Javen has been on a journey and SkillForce has supported and guided Javen along that route.

Read a more indepth SkillForce Leadership Case Study