YOUNG care leavers and children in care are ready to take their next step towards forging a career for themselves after completing a skills and work placement programme.

Clara Heathcote, 20, and Kaisha Farrington, 19, both from Leigh, are two of the young people who have finished Wigan Council's Confident Futures programme which is designed to give its participants the confidence to find work and become successful in their careers.

The programme offers a range of placements and focuses on a variety of skills including the areas of communications, IT, team work CV development, health and money advice as well as English and Maths lessons.

After a successful work placement in the scheme, Clara has been recruited by Wigan Council’s CCTV team scheme.

She said: "I feel like a different person at the end of it.

"I have definitely matured and learned how to work well with others.

"It has worked because we have all come from similar backgrounds so we all stuck together and encouraged each other.

"I plan to work really hard in my new job to make sure I have a positive future ahead of me."

Kaisha, who carried out an NHS placement, is now taking a 12-month apprenticeship with plans to progress to higher education after being inspired by her work experience with the health service.

She said: "I have decided I want to go to university now to study occupational therapy and I would love to work in the NHS.

"If other young people get the opportunity to do this they should.

It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to try out different roles to help you decide what you want to do in life."

Other organisations that have offered placements in the programme include youth charity The Prince's Trust, building company A Connolly Ltd, Boots and creative arts group The Old Courts.

After completing the six-week introductory course, young people are given the chance to do a 12 month apprenticeship with the council and partner agencies.

Progression advisor at the council Jan Watkin said: "It is really important that we offer our care leavers the support to make a success of their lives and to live well independently.

"We have been running this programme since 2013 to provide employment, education and training for the young people.

"We have had many successes where our young people have been employed in different departments within the council or in external companies.

"As the young people progress into employment and move into their own accommodation we work jointly with the council’s leaving care team to support them to stay on track and be successful."

If you are a young care leaver and are interested in getting involved in future Confident Futures programmes e-mail Wigan Council's aspiring future team at aspfut@wigan.gov.uk.