Before starting at Helm, I struggled a lot with anxiety and self-confidence. I wasn’t sure what my future looked like. I’ve gained qualifications, made friends and even started my own beauty business from home. Helm helped me realise I’m capable of so much more than I thought.
Katie, participant aged 16
Helm Training Ltd delivered vocational learning opportunities through its Autocare and Lavish Lounge Learning Centres in Dundee. The programme provided young adults with practical skills, accredited qualifications and real-world work experience, helping them build confidence and progress into employment, further education and self-employment.
Many young adults across Dundee face significant barriers to engaging with traditional education and developing pathways into employment. Young adults referred to Helm often arrive with low confidence, anxiety and limited opportunities to gain practical experience.
Common barriers included:
- Low confidence and anxiety
- Disengagement from school or education
- Limited access to practical, skills-based learning
- Lack of real-world work experience
- Uncertainty about future employment opportunities
Existing provision often lacked the hands-on learning environments needed to engage young adults effectively and did not address confidence and wellbeing alongside vocational development. At the same time, increasing demand for youth support services has placed pressure on already constrained funding resources.
Mathew Trust funding supported vocational training through two of Helm’s specialist Learning Centres:
- Helm Autocare: a working garage environment
- Lavish Lounge: an on-site beauty salon
The grant covered:
- Training delivery costs
- Equipment and materials
- Operational costs
- Staff and instructor support
Participants received:
- Practical vocational training
- SQA-accredited qualifications
- Industry-specific skills development
- Real customer-facing work experience
- Personal development and confidence-building support
The programme also worked with local employers, care homes and industry placement providers to ensure training reflected real employment opportunities and workplace expectations.
During the Year 2 reporting period, Helm supported 67 young adults through its Learning Centres.
- 67 young adults engaged across both programmes; 51 participants supported through Lavish Lounge and 16 participants supported through Helm Autocare
- 81 total qualifications achieved: 73 beauty and cosmetology qualifications and 8 automotive qualifications completed
Participants developed:
- Automotive repair and maintenance skills
- Beauty therapy and cosmetology skills
- Customer service experience
- Teamworking and communication skills
- Increased confidence and motivation
Young adults progressed into employment, work placements and self-employment opportunities, while reporting improved wellbeing, reduced anxiety and a stronger sense of direction for the future.
The Learning Centre model continues to expand, with Helm Autocare moving into a larger commercial garage that includes MOT facilities. The organisation has also increased income generation through its social enterprise activities and strengthened partnerships with employers and community organisations.
Building on the success of the programme, Helm is continuing to develop sustainable training models that combine accredited learning with real-world work environments. This approach will increase capacity to support more young adults across Dundee and Tayside while creating stronger pathways into employment.
Interested in applying?
If your organisation supports unemployed or re-skilling adults through education, vocational training or pathways into work, check your eligibility and find out how to apply.
