Carl Speeds To Success

Pictured: A student on Jaguar sponsored Foundation Modern Apprenticeship Programme

“I always wanted to get into engineering,” says Carl Ungi, “and now, thanks to The Knowsley Compact, Jaguar Cars and a self-propelled matchbox, I’m on the first rung of the ladder and in with a chance of achieving my ambition.”

Carl, 16, recently spent two weeks at the giant Halewood car plant in Liverpool, and is just one of thousands of young people to benefit from The Knowsley Compact’s Work Experience Placement Scheme. The scheme is operated in conjunction with companies throughout the area - in this case working with Jaguar’s Industry and Education Liaison Officer, John Lynch.

While at the Halewood Plant, Carl seized the opportunity to apply for a place on the Jaguar-sponsored Foundation Modern Apprenticeship Programme. Facing stiff opposition from over 400 other students, Carl got one of the 48 places on offer and now, just a year later, he is a few weeks into the first term of his apprenticeship course at Halton College of Further Education. To get his place on the apprenticeship programme, Carl had to take an aptitude test, followed by an assignment to design a self-propelled matchbox complete with plans and notes, which he had to present and explain to a panel of interviewers.

Many students find interviews the most daunting part of the job-hunting process, but Carl, who went to Knowsley Hey School, is one of thousands of students helped by Knowsley Compact who provide advice and support in key skills such as how to complete application forms and interview techniques.

Pleased to see another student on the way to a successful career, Jan Sharpe, Work Experience Co-ordinator with The Knowsley Compact said, “We are all delighted things are working out so well for Carl and all credit to him for taking the initiative and getting a place on the Apprenticeship Programme.”

For further information on The Knowsley Compact, contact Linda Davidson, The Knowsley Compact, 35 Wilson Road, Huyton Business Park, Huyton, Merseyside, L36 6AE. Tel: 0151 477 0077, Fax: 0151 477 0090, or visit
www.merseyworld.com/knowsley-compact