THE future looks bright for a teenager who is celebrated a job and apprenticeship success

Sovereign and the Westside Community Centre, in South Ham, has helped 18-year-old Marnie Dyer, get on track after, at the age of 16, she was not able to complete her time at the military academy she was attending because of an injury.

With her dream of a career in the navy, Marnie, who was living at home with her family, began to go to a youth group at Westside Community Centre, and it was here that someone suggested she speak with Sovereign to see if she could get some help with her future plans.

With the help of Lauren Green, Employment and training officer at Sovereign Marnie found out that the company funds a number of community-based apprenticeships and Marnie decided to try her hand at one of them and started an Intermediate Level 2 Apprenticeship in customer service.

The 18-year-old started working in the community centre, helping with social media and administration, as well as working in the nursery school that takes place there.

The latter made Marnie realise she loves working with children and has pursued this, and at the end of her apprenticeship, she is now employed as a pre-school assistant and is now taking her NVQ Level 2 in childcare at Westside Pre-school.

Marnie said: “I really enjoy being here; everyone’s so welcoming. After my Level 2 childcare I want to do the Level 3, I want to continue working in pre-school. This apprenticeship has helped me a lot.”

Not only this, but now Marnie has employment, she has moved out of her family home and into a house share, gaining independence and a bright future along the way.

Lauren Green, employment and training officer at Sovereign, said: “It’s so great when we can help young people like Marnie to get into work and training. We’re so proud of all Marnie’s hard work and success."