13 young people have graduated from CEG’s Forging Futures Campus Employment and Skills Employability L1 course, receiving recognition at the event from the Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, former international footballer Brian Deane and Vince Rose from Barclays UK Bank.

Run by Kirkstall Forge developer, CEG:, and partner Icon Group, the 17-week course helps 16- to 18-year-olds people not in education, employment or training learn new skills, build confidence and identify routes to training and employment.

As well as learning how to Manage your Money, in partnership with Barclays, providing functional skills in maths and English and 150 hours of work experience placement and community projects, the graduates secured their CSCS card training and a Level 1 Employability and Functional Skills Qualifications.

The programme is part of the Forging Futures social value programme CEG operates, which has delivered almost £1.5 million of social value over the last year.