Darren Lodwick - 24/09/2007

Darren Lodwick, a qualified painter and decorator from Tumble, spent ten years working in the decorating trade and a further four years in rotary drilling, when he sustained a serious shoulder injury. He had to give up work and was out of action for a few months.

During this time, he became very worried about his future prospects and really thought he was “washed up.” He decided he needed to improve his Literacy and Numeracy skills to gain some qualifications and to improve his employment prospects. It was difficult for Darren to admit to others that he needed help with writing and spelling, but via Llanelli Job Centre he was enrolled onto the Newidydd Scheme being run by LRC Training.

This enabled Darren to work on his Basic Skills and to gain Entry Level 3 passes in both Literacy and Numeracy. He was then transferred onto LRC Training’s Skillbuild programme and continued to work on his Basic Skills, eventually passing OCR Level 1 in Literacy and Numeracy.

As part of Skillbuild, Darren arranged a work placement with Evolution, a gymnasium in Cross Hands. This has benefited him in many ways and, by shadowing the fitness instructors, he learns more about the business every day. So involved and enthusiastic has Darren become in personal fitness, he has begun a part-time course in Fitness Instruction at Swansea College.

Besides this, Darren continues to improve his Basic Skills and is hopeful of gaining his Level 2 subjects in the near future. As he says: “In the last twelve months, I am surprised at what I have achieved. I never thought I was capable of doing this type of work. I am enjoying it all tremendously and my whole life has changed for the better.”

For further information please contact Glynis Zimmermann on 01554 774121 or E-mail to info@llanelli-rural.gov.uk.

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