Charlie, a student from one of our schools, is now looking forward to a bright future as he takes the next steps toward his dream career. When he first joined us, he had experienced early trauma that impacted his confidence and ability to form relationships. A Futures session with TrustFord inspired him to pursue a career as a mechanic, and through dedicated mentoring, mock interviews, and valuable work experience, Charlie’s confidence and skills have flourished. His determination and progress greatly impressed the TrustFord team, earning him an apprenticeship offer, which he will begin after completing his exams.
The Beginning
Charlie faced significant challenges in his early years due to trauma and neglect. After being fostered and eventually adopted by his foster parents, he joined our school with low self-esteem, difficulty focusing on schoolwork, and a tendency to display challenging behaviour and emotional dysregulation. Forming and maintaining meaningful friendships was also a struggle.
With the right support in place, Charlie gradually began to make progress. His attendance improved, and he started to demonstrate ambition and a growing sense of self-confidence. A turning point came when TrustFord visited the school as part of a Futures session. From that moment, Charlie set his sights on becoming a mechanic - a highly sought-after, competitive career and committed himself to achieving that goal.
Hard Work and Determination
Charlie’s journey toward his ambition was guided by targeted support and mentoring. Regular sessions with the Head of HR at TrustFord helped him understand the role of a mechanic, the skills required, and the expectations of the workplace. The Futures Team complemented this support by conducting mock interviews to help him articulate his thoughts clearly and build confidence.
Charlie then gained first-hand experience through a work placement, giving him valuable insight into workshop operations and professional standards. Following this, a mock interview with the showroom manager and HR Business Partner was arranged and treated as a real interview. Charlie’s preparation and determination paid off, he performed exceptionally and received positive feedback, leading to a work experience placement at TrustFord.
The Future
Charlie’s work experience was a resounding success, strengthening his ambition and motivation. His dedication and progress did not go unnoticed, and a few months later, he was offered an apprenticeship at TrustFord. Charlie is thrilled by the opportunity and will begin his apprenticeship after completing his exams, marking an exciting new chapter in his career journey.
Charlie’s story demonstrates how tailored support, practical experience, and mentorship can transform a young person’s aspirations into achievable goals, setting them on a clear path to success.