Success Stories

Mark from the Sports Gym in Batley and Conor McTiernan.

Conor with support from Mark and CMS has just been accepted in the British Army. Conor is currently a trainee at CMS Vocational Training in Batley on the Venture Foundation Learning programme.

Conor came to CMS at the end of 2007, he had only just moved to Batley from Newcastle. When he first started at CMS he had no idea what he wanted to do. Gradually he started to make some friends at CMS and Conor also gained qualifications in Food Hygiene, Numeracy Level 1 plus basic First Aid and IOSH.

CMS have a lot of young people that come through the doors who need career guidance. Over the years we have established good relationships with many employers and outside organisations. One of those employers is the Sports Gym in Batley. The owner and gym instructor, Mark, has a good rapport with young people and has proved this over the time CMS has worked with him.

When Conor first went to the gym, Mark’s first impression was that Conor needed some work-related skills and that his fitness level was very low. However, after receiving support and coaching Conor’s fitness has improved and so has his outlook on life.

After some time Conor decided he would like to apply for the armed forces. Mark and Conor agreed a fitness regime and they started running. At first Conor had a problem with the training but with Mark’s help he managed to get his fitness levels up.

Conor applied to the army and with the help of Mark and CMS staff he got through to the initial interview; he then had to go to Scotland for the medical and fitness test. Conor was successful at that and is now waiting to start in January 2009.

CMS can honestly say that Conor has really grown up and become a very responsible person, of whom we are very proud.

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