*    Providing an aternative education for socially excluded young people

*    A service for schools and Local Authorities

*    OCN Qualifications in Motor Mechanics and Building

*    An Award winning Registered Charity

*    Creating real jobs and opportunitites

Although completing a course and gaining a qualification is a priority, other less tangible outcomes are equally important. Young people are taught how to develop working relationships with each other and the staff team. They are encouraged to take responsibility for thier behaviuor and actions, not just at the Centre but within the wider environment. High regard is placed upon safe working practises and gaining a wide range of skills which will be of great benefit to them when entering work for the first time.

The Centre is set in a quiet semi rural part of Airedale, with comanding views over Fairburn and Ledston Hall.  It is close to motorway links and is on local bus routes.  It has strong links with the local community and is one of the largest employers in the area.

Chrysalis have many years expereince of working with young people and look at the young persons individual needs carefully when setting goals and targets.  Each young person is encouraged to develop thier own skills both within the group and as an indivdual.  Success cannot always be quantified on paper, but the fact that a good number of young people who have attended in previuos years choose not only to attend in term time but volunteered to attend in the holidays so that they could finish projects or just remain part of the Chrysalis team.

The Motor Vehice Mechanics course is run in a purpose built garage, and has a wide range of tools and equipment. Taught by 2 experienced Mechanics, young people learn a variety of skills in Basic Motor Vehicle Maintenance. Each course begins with an induction which gives the student an introduction to Chrysalis and a taste of what the year long course has to offer.  The students' all start with an entry level unit, followed by a Health and Safety Unit at level one, before work commences on a variety of other units culminating in a recognised qualification with the Open College Network (OCN). Success is attained by keeping the groups small, enabling individual attention and a tailored learning programme to suit the students' ability.   Assessment of students' is ongoing throughout the course which enables the student to see his/her own progression.  This helps with their motivation and gives them a goal to aim for.  Previous students have gone on to further education, employment and  careers in the Army  

The Project offers Basic Construction courses, which are accredited through the  Open College Network nd start with a Introduction to Health and Safety Module, which is followed by the introduction and proper use of tools                                     

Construction modules consist of the Construction of a Half Brick Wall, the Construction of a Full Brick Wall and the Construction of a Cavity Wall.  Students are also shown how to create other structures, such as arches, fireplaces and planters morephotos

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The Shadow Secretary of State for Northen Ireland  Owen Patterson visited the Project in February 2008, after a short notice cancellation from the Shadow Secretary for Business and Enterprise.

Owen was impressed with the work undertaken and talked to the young people about jobs and thier future