‘Everything To Gain’: Growing Bakery And Café Empire Takes On Nine Trailblazers To Invest In Darlington

A patisserie empire is building a bank of bakers and talent for the future with the help of a jobs programme for young people.

Shape, a bakery and patisserie school in Darlington, has seen business owner Catalin Cirimpei take on nine young people through the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme working in a string of outlets.

Shape is one of four businesses in the town owned by Catalin and Mariana Cirimpei including Banqo, on the other side of the Market Hall, Influence Café, on Skinnergate, and Number 8 Bakehouse, on Post House Wynd.

The group has taken on nine young people as part of its operations – with the aim of keeping them on in work beyond the programme and building skills in the town.

Catalin said: “What we’re trying to achieve with this is taking as many as possible to create proper bakers.

“There is training related to pizza, cake baking, bread baking and the patisserie side of it, because there is a lack of talented people on the market.

“All the money our customers spend, we’re trying to reinvest in Darlington.

“I think this is a breath of fresh air for a local business.

“It’s unbelievable that somebody thought about this programme to put young people to work and gain skills to be able to have full-time positions.

“It just hits the spot with what we want to do here.”

The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer has been open to applications from young people aged 18 to 21 who are not in education, employment, or training, and living in Tees Valley (Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees).

Funded by the UK Government, it has offered high-quality paid work placements and non-paid work taster sessions for young people across the region helping them to build experience, confidence, and a pathway into lasting employment.

For employers, wages for the three and six-month work placements have been fully funded to keep financial costs to businesses as low as possible. It also included up to £2,500 grants towards certified training, qualifications and upskilling – as well as targeted workforce and skills development support.

As well as bringing on young bakers, the businesses have baristas, bar and waiting staff as part of the trailblazer group.

Catalin said they wanted to keep the group in and grow their operations.

The 44-year-old added: “We will keep them because we’ve found a way to hopefully expand to more areas in County Durham and do exactly what we do here because it’s working from our point of view.”

Gabriel Howard, 20, is an assistant chef at Shape, and started work in November with the help of the Trailblazer.

After facing a tough time, Gabriel grasped the chance to join Shape.

“I’m no longer homeless, I can afford rent, and it was one of the smoothest and most efficient ways of getting a job,” said Gabriel.

“It was just like that. I was on the street and now I’m going to work. It’s a great workplace.”

Gabriel’s training saw him go from being a cooking novice to now knowing a raft of kitchen skills to put together great food.

Assistant Chef Aimee Bruce has also picked up handy skills during her time at Shape after following a friend down the trailblazer route.

She added: “I’ve had a lot of fun learning all the different recipes and even doing some of the service.”

Meanwhile, Caitlin Armstrong and Shane Adams, both 18, work front of house at Shape.

Caitlin said: “It’s been really good.

“I’ve improved in my confidence and my social skills, and I’ve been really well supported here by Catalin and everyone I work with.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is exactly what the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is all about – giving local young people who just need a chance the opportunity to get into work, build skills and turn their lives around.

“Seeing businesses like Shape not only take part but embrace the programme and invest in nine young people shows the real difference it can make.

“We want our young people in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool to know there is a future for them right here at home.

“By backing local employers and removing the financial barriers to taking someone on, we are creating real pathways into lasting jobs. For many of these young people, this is the start of a career, not just a placement – and that is what this programme was designed to deliver.”

The Trailblazer scheme is being led by the Tees Valley Combined Authority and delivered by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and the region’s Local Authorities.

Cllr Lisa Evans, TVCA Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, and Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, added: “The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is about building confidence, providing stability and offering long-term opportunities.

“By fully funding placements and supporting additional training, we are making it easier for businesses to invest in young talent and for young people to gain the experience they need to succeed.

“It is fantastic to see a local business reinvesting in its town and committing to developing skills for the future.

“When employers and young people both benefit, it strengthens our communities and backs our businesses.”

The final word we’ll leave for Gabriel.

“Don’t hold back,” he said.

“You’ve got nothing to lose, and you’ve got everything to gain.

“I was out of work for three years and then within literally a day of hearing about this, I had a job interview.

“Go straight for it.”

The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is funded by the UK Government.

For more information on the programme, or to register your interest as a business, go here.