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Amina Begum and Sultana Satter
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Amina and Sultana become teenage champs

Two life-long friends who overcame crippling shyness to forge careers in child-care have been saluted as ‘Rathbone Achievers of the Year for Tameside 2007’.

Unsure of which career to choose, Hyde-based Amina Begum and Sultana Satter endured a crisis of confidence when they left school. But a spell at Tameside training charity Rathbone bore fruit – and convinced them to work in a nursery.

"Although Sultana and Amina are very different characters, they have remained great friends and have been bound together by a desire to succeed" said Candice Langley, Rathbone Centre Manager at Ashton. "They thoroughly deserve their awards and will be an inspiration to young people in the Bangladeshi community and beyond."

Fashion-conscious Amina referred herself to Rathbone after experiencing difficulties finding a job. By her own admission, she lacked motivation and her time-keeping was poor. But she really applied herself when on her Child-Care Apprenticeship, hitting targets and earning rave reviews during her work-placement. Now working at the Bungalow Nursery in Denton, she received the coveted, "Apprentice of the Year Award". Nerves meanwhile, held Sultana’s progress back. However, she also seized the initiative during her Apprenticeship, becoming ever more confident and competent. Sultana didn’t miss a day at Rathbone – hence her "Attendance Award".

Amongst the other young people to receive honours at a special presentation ceremony hosted by the Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Michael Smith, was 18-year-old Wahab Khan. From Ashton-under-Lyne, Wahab was one of the first young people in Britain to successfully complete the Progress to Success programme – a four week scheme to help those who have fallen out of education, get back on track.

The awards (open to all trainees at Rathbone in Tameside) were presented at a special ceremony at the Rathbone Centre on George Street in Ashton (September 18th). In attendance were education chiefs, representatives from Greater Manchester Police, business bosses and parents. The ceremony also saw the premier of a dramatic new DVD made by the Rathbone ‘learners’ about bullying.

Rathbone in Ashton delivers basic life skills for 16-19 year olds, plus work experience and recognised qualifications to NVQ Level 2 in childcare, retail and warehousing. Email Ashton@rathbone.org.uk or call 0161 330 8812 to find out more.