THE event was an opportunity grabbed with both hands by Catherine Bird, 18, from Jarrow, who has been on the Work Programme for a couple of months.
The former Hebburn Comprehensive School pupil is aiming for a career in the health care field and has been receiving support on interview techniques.
She said: “I aim to become a carer and then hopefully progress to become a nurse.
“It’s something I have wanted to do since I did my work experience at Bedewell Grange in Hebburn and I really loved it.
“I have received support on interview techniques and my eyes have really been opened to the career opportunities that are out there.
“Next, I want to take my Level One NVQ in Health and Social Care and take it from there.”
Monique Hesney, 20, from Chichester, South Shields, was on the dole for 17 months before she joined the Work Programme.
She too is planning to take an Health and Social Care NVQ and in the meantime is about to start a placement as a general assistant at Tesco in Gateshead.
Ms Hesney said: “I lacked a little self-confidence, but the support I have received from Ingeus has helped with that.
“The practice interview support has really built my confidence up.”
The young people at the gathering heard an inspirational talk from speaker Ryan Lynch, a former Ingeus trainee now employed by the company at its offices in Westoe Road, South Shields.
The 22-year-old, from South Shields, said: “Ingeus gave me a foot in the door. Before that, I’d been on the dole for months and felt like I was banging my head against a wall.”
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