European Social Fund in England

'I have a desire to do well'

Malcolm (left) with his business partner Ronnie Chrisp

Malcolm Medlen, 20, left school in 2005 with few qualifications and no idea about what he wanted to do with his future. For years he did not work or study.

A chance meeting in his local library with staff from Acumen Trust led him to sign up to a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 2 in numeracy to help him improve his maths skills. He completed and passed the course in just two months.

Acumen Trust is sub-contracted by A4e Limited to deliver the European Social Fund (ESF) and Learning and Skills Council (LSC) co-financed ‘Test the Region’ initiative in the North East. The initiative has been designed specifically to address the issue of low levels of engagement in learning amongst disadvantaged groups, unemployed people and people who are economically inactive.

His friend Ronnie Chrisp suggested they put their heads together and set up a business on their own in their local area. Having helped his friend in the past with landscape gardening, they decided to work together and give being business owners a real go.

The business has now been up and running since the autumn of 2009 and is thriving.  Malcolm said, “Taking and passing the maths qualification really got me thinking about my future. Being my own boss is something that makes me proud and I have a desire to do well. I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to start my own business.”

Malcolm is now undertaking a book-keeping course and is exploring other learning opportunities that will help both him and Ronnie gain skills in managing a successful business.

Project information (January 2010)

The Test the Region project will see individuals undergo a skills assessment.  They will then be referred to a learning provider to gain qualifications in literary and numeracy.

The project runs until December 2010 and will receive around £1 million in European Social Fund support.