Lee McManus
Lee left school at 15 with no job to go
to and no real plans for his future. He spent the next two and a
half years unemployed before he secured a place on the Get
into Cars programme.
Lacking in direction and guidance, Lee
needed a role model to help drive his ambition, but instead faced
mounting pressure from his family to find employment, leaving Lee
feeling stressed, vulnerable and isolated.
After suffering a series of attacks from a
distant relative, Lee’s family began to live in fear and Lee was
subjected to death threats, prompting him to create a hard persona
to protect himself. During this period Lee started hanging
around with the 'wrong crowd'; he became known to the police and
has three criminal convictions.
Lee never lost his ambition to become a
mechanic and although he tried hard to secure an apprenticeship and
desperately sought to please his parents, he was repeatedly told
"You do not fit our criteria". Lee was seriously lacking in
confidence and self esteem and was incredibly disheartened that at
18 years old he was deemed too old for an apprenticeship.
After competing with over 300 young people,
Lee secured a place on the Get into Cars programme run in
partnership with the Arnold Clark Group.
Lee worked incredibly hard during the six
week programme and hugely impressed Arnold Clark staff during his
work experience placement at the branch.
Lee was offered an apprenticeship with
Arnold Clark and again his hard work was recognized when he was
nominated for Trainee of the Year. He completed his apprenticeship
a full year earlier than expected.
Currently a Young Ambassador Lee has been
involved in a number of projects and has supported The Trust at
recruitment events to inspire other young people. Lee plans to
continue training and is working towards becoming a Master
Technician.
Champions
We would like to acknowledge the individuals or organisations
who have played a key role in helping this young person achieve
success through their Prince’s Trust programme.
- James Swan, Development Tutor, GTG
Training Lucy Fuller, Arnold Clark Group
- Glasgow City Council