Pround Supporters of The Prince's Trust

As a company we have always been firm believers in giving young people a chance to develop their skills, both personal and in their chosen careers, in order that they reach their true potential.

So it was with great pleasure to be a patron of The Prince's Trust, a charity set up by Prince Charles in 1976, to help develop key skills, confidence and motivation, and enable young people to move into work, education or training.

And after more than 30 years the Trust's work is still vital, with more than 1 million young people in the UK not in work, education or training, and youth unemployment costing the economy £10 million a day in lost productivity. The Trust has helped over 600,000 young people since it formed.

Pimlico MD, Charlie Mullins, is also a founder member of the Trust's Enterprise Fellowship, a group of leading entrepreneurs, set up to promote, encourage and foster enterprise and entrepreneurship amongst disadvantaged young people in the UK.

Explaining why he chose to support The Prince's Trust, Charlie said:

"The Prince's Trust presents an opportunity that very few people from my working class background are able to enjoy - something that makes me determined to contribute to its ongoing success."

Since the Fellowship began in 2008 the fellows have pledged funds of £2,986,000 which has gone to The Trust’s Enterprise Programme which has helped 12,864 youngsters so far this year.

Charlie's Role as an Enterprise Fellow

In his role as an Enterprise Fellow Charlie offers guidance and support to those who have the desire and drive to start up their own business. Charlie often gives inspirational talks to Prince’s Trust youngsters and offers advice to entrepreneurs.

Charlie recently met with Dan Carey, an enthusiastic entrepreneur who’s fought against the odds to build up a successful and respected business, at our Headquarters in London. He started his construction company with the help of a loan from The Prince’s Trust and when meeting Charlie took the opportunity to get his thoughts and advice on his business and where it should be heading. Charlie always likes to meet success stories from The Prince's Trust.

“To meet young people who have struggled against the odds and with the help of The Prince’s Trust become successful entrepreneurs it gives me great hope for the future,” says Charlie.

As part of our ongoing support Pimlico also provide work placements for Prince’s Trust youngsters that are on the TEAM programme. This programme offers young people aged 16-25 work experience, qualifications practical skills and the chance to work on community projects. The programme has supported over 9,560 young people so far this year. In recent months we have had many young people complete a two week work placement at Pimlico in various trades including Aaron Davids, Connor Watkins,Ian Simons, Scott Wilson, Tony Miltern, Adrian Astbury and Alain Kacou

Aaran spent two weeks working with a group of Pimlico engineers learning the ropes as a carpenter. During his work placement he helped out with the refurbishment of the Pimlico depot, and also travelled London working alongside Pimlico engineers on the road, using his newly-gained skills.

“The two weeks at Pimlico have been excellent experience; going out with the guys was great. I have been interested in carpentry for a while and The Prince’s Trust has given me the start I needed and it’s certainly positive for my CV,” says Aaran.

Connor and Ian are working towards City and Guilds qualification through TEAM and used their time at Pimlico to gain experience in a trade; Connor as an Electrician and Ian as a Plumber.

“I’m so glad I signed up for the TEAM programme, working at Pimlico was an excellent experience and I really enjoyed myself. I loved going out with the guys and wearing the Pimlico uniform, it made me really want to be a Plumber,” says Ian.

“It was really interesting to learn from such experienced people who made me feel so welcome. Both joining the TEAM programme and working at Pimlico have really given me the kick start I need to become an electrician,” says Connor.

Tony worked in our in-house mechanics workshop where he learnt skills that will help him when he starts his Mechanics Apprenticeship.

"I really enjoyed my time at Pimlico Plumbers, working in the mechanics workshop. It's definitely prepared me for my apprenticeship and I now know that I really want to learn to be a mechanic, " says Tony.

Adrian spent his time learning the skills of an electrician. He worked both at the Pimlico depot and out on the road with one of our electrician carrying out work in domestic properties.

" This work placement has given me the confidence to pursue a career as an electrician, I can't wait to start an apprenticeship," says Adrian.

Alain worked with our carpenters and builders where he picked up skills such as bricklaying and plaster boarding and learnt from some of our most talented craftsmen.

"I learnt some much during my placement and really enjoyed learning all the skills of the trade. It was hard work but worth it in the end," says Alain.

Pimlico is always keen to provide young people from the Trust like Aaron, Connor, Ian, Scott and Tony with the vital opportunity to gain skills and practical experience which will hopefully lead them into a successful career.

For more information, to donate to the Trust, to volunteer, become a sponsor, or even raise money in your own way you can contact The Princes Trust using the details below:

Postal Address:

Head Office
The Prince's Trust
18 Park Square East
London
NW1 4LH

Tel: 020 7543 1234

Email: webinfops@princes-trust.org.uk

Website: http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/default.aspx

Registered Charity no 1079675

Letters from Prince's Trust Trainees

"Dear All,

I cannot thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to work for such a fine company. All your staff have been incredibly friendly, helpful and professional.

I would like to make myself formally available for any employment opportunities you may have now or in the future. I would also be very interested if any opportunities for an apprenticeship became available.

I would consider myself to be honest, hardworking and reliable. I also have customer service experience and I am willing to undergo any training programme that would help me in this role.

I would like to highlight some skills from previous employment that would be relevant and beneficial if I were to ever work for you: PAT Testing, performing electrical and engineering repairs whilst with my previous employment.

Customer service was also a big part of my previous role; taking calls from customers and processing their messages gave me a good grounding in the importance of customer relations.

Thank you again for all your help, support and guidance.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Scott Wilson"