An apprentice electrician given a career chance by a forward-thinking construction company while attending an alternative provision school is inspiring other young people across the country with his success story.

Warren Kashem always dreamed of becoming an electrician. But his chances of realising his ambitions looked to have hit a wall when his autism meant he struggled to attend mainstream school.

Warren was referred to the Athena School in Blackpool, run by Educational Diversity, an alternative provision for students who find conventional education settings challenging.

He got his big break in Year 10 when bosses at Blackpool business Evolution saw a spark in him and offered him work experience in its electrical division.

Warren performed so well that he was offered an electrical apprenticeship, and on Friday (June 12), was invited to speak to business, education and government leaders.

The Aspiring Pathways programme, delivered by The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) – the national body for careers education – is backed by £8.5 million of Department for Education funding to deliver access to high-quality work experience for young people in Alternative Provision (AP).

At today’s launch of the programme held at Educational Diversity in Blackpool, Warren featured in a panel discussion on how young people in alternative provision can overcome barriers to taking part in meaningful work experience.

In Year 10, Warren started his one-day-a-week work experience with Evolution, upping to two days the following year. His renewed focus and enthusiasm for the world of work led to improved school attendance.

The inclusive and supportive work environment at Evolution helped bring Warren out of his shell, allowing his true personality to shine through.

He impressed the company’s senior leadership team so much that he was awarded a four-year electrical apprenticeship and is now studying at Blackpool and The Fylde College, while working at Evolution.

Evolution’s Managing Director JJ Fitzgerald said: “Warren has faced big challenges in his life and he has shown great courage and determination to overcome them. We’re so glad and so proud to see him blossom and thrive in this way.

“We hope his story and his experiences can inspire others about what it’s possible to achieve, and that work experience really can be that step towards a brighter future.

“We are committed to giving young people a good start in life, nurturing their talents and inspiring them to hopefully have long and successful careers in the construction industry.”

Warren said his work experience at Evolution made a big impact on him.

“It was good to get out of school and see first-hand how the world of employment worked,” he said.

“I really admire Evolution’s professionalism, their quality of work and how welcoming they are as a team. I’m excited to continue working at the company and eventually become a qualified electrician.”

Alan Milburn’s recently published report, Young People and Work, identifies work experience as vital for building confidence, skills and access to employment. It highlights that young people in the highest need areas are the least likely to access these opportunities, with many NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people reporting no work experience at all. Barriers include limited employer availability, school capacity, transport, SEND/additional needs, and safeguarding requirements.

Research shows that two in five young people in AP do not progress to a positive destination after Year 11, compared with fewer than one in ten in mainstream education.

Today’s programme launch highlighted the positive impact of work experience on young people’s skills, confidence and sense of belonging in the workplace and emphasised the role employers play in supporting young people and creating meaningful opportunities.

Speaking at the launch event were John Yarham, CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company; Mo Isap OBE, Board member, The Careers & Enterprise Company, and CEO, IN4 Group; and Baasit Siddiqui, Educator and Speaker, Director, Siddiqui Education.