Tom Heeley, 18, from Hoyland in Barnsley, is celebrating his new full time position as a lifeguard at the Metrodome Leisure Centre, after completing a 21 week work placement designed to give him a taster of the leisure industry.

Tom is just one of 20 teenagers from across South Yorkshire who is currently enrolled on the Entry to Employment (E2E) programme with Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL), which gives young people who leave school without a career or college course the chance to gain recognised qualifications in the leisure industry.

Joanne Loy, Barnsley Premier Leisure's Training and Development Manager, said: "We are delighted to offer Tom a job within our lifeguard team. He really impressed us by being really eager to learn and enthusiastic about the leisure industry, as well as having a sensible and mature attitude to work. Although he has only been with us for a few weeks, he has already become a popular member of the team, behaving in a helpful and professional manner to both customers and staff.

"Tom is the second lifeguard we have taken on through the E2E programme. We have put him through the Royal Life Saving Society training, which is a National Pool Lifeguard qualification. The Entry to Employment programme is a really good way for us to find new talent, as well as giving young people employment opportunities and a positive experience of a work environment."

Barnsley Premier Leisure has also recently appointed two further apprentices, one in business administration and one in fitness instruction through the E2E programme.

Tom said: "Being enrolled onto the E2E programme is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I thoroughly enjoyed my work placement at the Metrodome and was really pleased to have been offered a permanent role with them. I would recommend the programme to all Barnsley school leavers, who don't know what to do next. Even if you don't get a job offer, you have still gained vital confidence, work experience and even a qualification at the end of it."

The 16- to 18-year-olds that left school without employment are being given the chance to achieve reputable credentials, gain valuable life skills, create an attractive CV and even secure a role with the organisation that runs 11 venues in the region at the end of it.

Claire Bullimore, Business Development Manager for ITS, who runs the E2E programme in Barnsley, said: "We began working with BPL in August last year and since then BPL has offered 25 learners work experience placements in areas such as administration, hospitality, ground maintenance, pool and gym. This has proved tremendously successful with a number of our learners securing permanent employment. Learners are extremely well supported by BPL staff and the training they receive is invaluable to their futures. The partnership with BPL has ensured that young people are given the opportunity to secure employment with excellent future prospects."

The E2E programme at Barnsley Premier Leisure includes work placements in grounds maintenance at Wombwell Hillies Golf Course, sports stadium work at Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre and business administration, lifeguard and leisure attendant training, bar work and painting and decorating at the Metrodome Leisure Complex.

The programme is funded through the Learning Skills Council in partnership with Independent Training Services (ITS) which aims to give school leavers the experience they need and insight into particular industries to increase their chances of employment.