AN ABERGYNOLWYN teenager who was on an alternative education programme from the age of 14 has secured his dream job thanks to Careers Wales.

Oscar Hutchinson, 16, has been offered an apprenticeship at Talyllyn Railway in Tywyn, after Careers Wales arranged a work placement for him as part of its TRAC 11-24 programme.

The project aims to reduce the number of 11-24 year-olds at highest risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) in north Wales, through a range of interventions.

Two years after offering Oscar the placement, Talyllyn Railway has created its first apprenticeship post in the railway’s history, especially for Oscar.

Oscar also had the chance to meet the chairman of Network Rail, Sir Peter Hendy, who presented him with his certificate and congratulated him on his achievement.

Having struggled to cope in school, Oscar was put on the ‘Pecyn 25’ education programme and was given one-to-one lessons both in school and at the Dolgellau local library. He also attended vocational courses as well as individual sessions with Careers Wales advisers as part of the TRAC programme.

As part of his apprenticeship, which starts in September, Oscar will be attending college in Dolgellau undertaking a Level 2 course in Performing Engineering Options, and will then go on to do a more railway-focused programme.

Oscar said: “I’m so grateful to Careers Wales for setting up my work placement and for giving me so much help and advice. After being excluded from school, I really needed the direction and structure that they gave me; just to be told where I needed to be and when.

“I love working at Talyllyn Railway. I’m a really hands-on person and I love being outdoors, so working on the tracks suits me so much better than being in school. I can’t wait to start a proper apprenticeship in September.

“I would probably just be washing up in a café or working as a waiter now if it weren’t for Careers Wales helping me and giving me all the right advice.”

Oscar’s employer, Stuart Williams, general manager at Talyllyn Railway, said: “Oscar gets on with everyone here at Talyllyn. Our team spans a range of ages, including some volunteers who are in their 80s, and Oscar has managed to fit in with everyone.”