YOUNG people in Essex are being given the opportunity to participate in Personal Best, a unique national training and volunteering programme linked to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The Personal Best programme is funded by Essex Coun

YOUNG people in Essex are being given the opportunity to participate in Personal Best, a unique national training and volunteering programme linked to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The Personal Best programme is funded by Essex County Council, the only local authority in the country to be financing the programme, and will be delivered by SEEVIC College at venues in Basildon, Colchester and Braintree from February 2010.

The ten week training programme covers a range of subjects including health and safety, customer relations, equality and diversity, developing teams and interpersonal skills and leads to a level one qualification in Preparation for Event Volunteering. Participants in the programme will also have the opportunity to meet athletes in training for the London 2012 Games and will be guaranteed an interview to become a London 2012 volunteer, as well as a guaranteed interview for a place on Essex County Council's Apprenticeship programme.

'Excellent Opportunity'

Personal Best is aimed at young people aged 16-18 who are not currently in education, training or employment.

Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education and the 2012 Games, Councillor Stephen Castle, said: "Essex County Council is delighted to be able to offer funding for this programme.

"This is an excellent opportunity for young people to gain a qualification and take the next step towards training or employment and is another great example of how we are using the inspiration of the London 2012 Games to change the lives of young people in Essex."

Executive director, Skills and Business Development for SEEVIC College, Katy Quinn, said: "Being a centre of excellence for sport and leisure provision combined with our close proximity to both Hadleigh Farm and London makes our involvement with training young people in the Personal Best qualification very exciting.

"The potential to be part of the Olympic Games is an opportunity of a lifetime for these young people."

For more information on the Personal Best Programme call 01268 756 111 or visit www.seevic-college.ac.uk/personalbest.