More than 140 pupils from 12 secondary schools in Yorkshire and Humber in the United Kingdom received certificates for completing their final year of the Prince’s Trust xl Club programme at a reception sponsored by Boeing United Kingdom Limited.

The Boeing UK office is a longtime supporter of the xl Clubs, which are in-school clubs that promote skills development for 14- to 16-year olds at risk of truancy, exclusion or underachievement.

"Today marks an end to a very successful year for all the pupils who have taken part in xl,” said Angela Germaine, xl advisor and high school teacher. “They have gotten so much out of taking a more hands-on approach to their work."

The graduates of the programme agree. “I didn’t really do much before xl, and I never wanted to go to college. But now xl is over, I’ve learned more stuff and I’m going to go to college,” said one student. Another commented, “I’ve been working at a catering company part-time because I like that sort of thing, and they’ve said they’ll take me on full-time after school.”

Boeing UK’s support of the Prince’s Trust aligns with a Global Corporate Citizenship objective to help a community’s most vulnerable residents toward self-sufficiency and supports the company’s business objectives in the area.

"Economic development in this part of Britain is a priority for Boeing," said Nicette Makkinga, GCC representative for the UK, Makkinga noted that the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Center, a collaboration between world leaders in the aerospace supply chain, key government offices and international academic institutions, is based there. "Having these kids go on to college or gainful employment in the work world, thanks to the support of the xl Clubs, is a gratifying way to support the economy in the area."