Skillz hits the headlines again! Monday 21 June (at 14:10PM).
Having a baby is a life changing experience for many women and for ex-probation officer, Gemma Stow, it led to the creation of her new business. Just over a year ago Gemma launched Skillz Education, an alternative education centre offering training opportunities to young people. Gemma said: “As a probation officer many of the people I met had left school without any qualifications and turned to crime as they couldn’t find employment that gave them enough money to
support themselves or their families.”
Gemma offers accredited courses in construction, fashion, horticulture and personal and social health education. She has been helped to get her business off the ground through the West Leeds Enterprise Centre (WLEC), by Sharing the Success which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The centre has given her access to business advice, training and use of its facilities to get things moving. Gemma added: “It’s been a real advantage having a business mentor at the WLEC for support throughout the process. “I really enjoy running my own business and urge anyone out there who has a passion or idea to turn it into their own enterprise.”
She currently has two fulltime employees, Lucy Tomlin and John Guthrie, and two part-time teachers working with schools.
For more information visit www.skillzeducation.co.uk or www.sharingthesuccess.co.uk.
As featured in About Leeds - Summer 2010 edition.
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/About_Leeds/News.aspx