18 new jobs will be created by the additional transitional education centre, which provides tailored support for young adults with complex needs.
The non-profit Teens+ is set to open a second centre in East Lothian this September, providing capacity for a further 15 students aged 17plus to receive tailored support five days a week.
Teens+ is operated by the Edinburgh based charity Capella, which already has three centres, including one at Eskmills Business Park in Musselburgh which opened in September 2022. The students they support are typically excluded from accessing further education due to their learning needs, so the centres enable them to develop essential life skills and prepare them for their future.
The new centre expects to provide 18 new living wage jobs in the community.
Head of Teens+, Simon Pearce-Madge, said:
“There is a considerable gap in opportunities for young people with additional support needs to engage in society, post-school. This new centre is a testament to Teens+ dedication to closing this gap by providing high-quality transitional education opportunities and therapeutic support to members of our community that are so often under-supported.”
The expansion also marks substantial growth for the charity Capella, which has seen its workforce increase by almost 15%. Capella won Employer of the Year at the Edinburgh Chamber of Business Awards 2023, in recognition of work done to become a supportive, inclusive, and fun workplace.
Recruitment is now underway for the new Teens+ centre. Those interested can visit teensplus.org.uk to view the available roles.
