Victoria Prewett, from Abertillery is cooking up a new career in the kitchen thanks to the individual help and support she received from Careers Wales Gwent.

Victoria, 22, has learning difficulties and has worked closely with the Special Needs Team at Careers Wales Gwent since leaving school six years ago.

She has now started an NVQ course in catering at Coleg Gwent, Crosskeys, thanks to an innovative approach by her careers advisers.

Adrian Summers, Special Needs Team Leader at Careers Wales Gwent said, "After studying for the ASDAN Youth Award in life skills and completing a horticulture course, Victoria found that she would have to move into mainstream training and education. However there was a problem with travelling as she would no longer have the special transport arrangements she was used to previously.

"However, we had just taken on Emma Critchlow, a special needs mentor, funded by the European Social Fund, who came up with the answer. She engaged Victoria on a two week 'bus' programme to help build up her confidence and competency to travel to and from the catering course in Crosskeys alone by public transport.

"This was a new direction for the special needs team but it certainly seems to have paid off with Victoria settling in well on her two year course."

Emma added, "It was essential to be able to treat Victoria's case individually and find a solution to her particular problem. By giving her the confidence to use the bus and make her way to the college alone, we hope she will be able to make good progress in catering and will be able to find employment on completion of the course."