Yanas, a 21-year-old from Eritrea, joined Drive Forward with a clear goal: to build a career in construction. But there was a significant hurdle — English, his second language.

“The team was helpful,” Yanas reflects. “They found me the CSCS [Construction Skills Certification Scheme] course I needed to get a construction job. But during the course, some words were tough. I practised them again and again, and Justin was always there to help.”

Justin, a dedicated Careers Manager at Drive Forward, recalls, “Yanas is a testament to resilience. Initially reserved, he flourished during the course, engaging with his peers. However, English continued to pose a challenge.”

Yanas adds, “Justin encouraged me to practise at home, sending me practice questions. It made a big difference.”

“I knew English wouldn’t be easy for Yanas and others like him,” Justin says. “They had to learn industry-specific terms while grasping the overall content. There were moments of doubt. Yanas once called me, discouraged by his scores. I reminded him of his journey from Eritrea. ‘You’ve overcome so much already; this test won’t defeat you.’ We laughed, but it resonated.”

Through persistence, Yanas not only passed the exam but also caught the attention of employers like Barkley Homes. “He’s an exceptional individual,” Justin proudly notes.

Yanas’ journey underscores the growing need for English language support among care leavers. Many, like Yanas, face language barriers, and Drive Forward is committed to breaking them. His story inspired us to secure funding for an English tutor for future in-house courses, ensuring no young person faces this challenge alone.