SkillForce started life in 2000 as a pilot project through the Ministry of Defence (MOD) with 2 Teams working in secondary schools in Newcastle and Norfolk, and specialising in Key Stage 4 pupils who were identified as “difficult to reach”.

With core grant-aid from the MOD and the Department for Education and Skills (now DfE) we expanded our expertise in Wider Key Skills training and Life Skills development generally, working with students with diverse needs.

In April 2004 SkillForce became a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. SkillForce became self-sustaining in April 2010 when core grant-aid ceased.

In the last ten years SkillForce has delivered qualifications and positive outcomes to over 35,000 young people with consistently outstanding results:

►     90% feel more positive, more confident and feel they have learned useful skills

►     93% leave school with recognized qualifications

►     97% progress into employment, further education, training or apprenticeship - compared with the 16% nationally who are NEET

►     60% of students entitled to Free School Meals go into further education - compared with 9% nationally

►     24% predicted exclusion is reduced to 4% actual exclusion; truancy is significantly reduced significantly

Our success can largely be attributed to the SkillForce Instructors who are mainly ex-Services personnel. Having served their country, they are now serving their local communities by making a real difference to the lives of young people.

With their diverse life experiences, our Instructors are positive role models, something often lacking in young people’s lives. This makes SkillForce distinct from other youth charities.