Students from West Thames College gathered to celebrate their graduation from the Voice for Locals initiative, a programme designed to equip young people with practical skills to support and strengthen local businesses in Hounslow and the surrounding areas.
The graduation ceremony marked the culmination of an intensive four-week training programme, bringing together students, educators and local business leaders to recognise the achievements of the latest cohort. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and the local economy, giving students hands-on experience while helping small businesses grow and adapt in a competitive digital landscape.
Speaking at the event, Jay Thattai, founder of Voice for Locals, reflected on the journey of the programme and the determination shown by the students.
“What a journey,” he said. “We met 40–50 students and shortlisted 20. We were looking for the right attitude and people who could contribute to the local economy. The training lasted four weeks – it wasn’t easy – but they crossed all the barriers. I’m so happy to stand here with them in front of people who run businesses in Hounslow and see them graduating from the programme.”
Voice for Locals is a community-focused initiative that trains young people in areas such as digital skills, customer engagement, feedback systems and basic technology, enabling them to directly support independent businesses. The programme not only enhances students’ employability but also provides tangible benefits to local enterprises by improving visibility, customer retention and growth strategies.
During the ceremony, three students shared their personal experiences of taking part in the programme and how it had shaped their aspirations.
Prabhjot, a BTEC Business student, spoke about applying what he learned to her own family’s business: “I’m coming from a business background – my father is a small business owner.
“We struggle with visibility. Voice for Locals taught me a lot: how to retain customers through feedback, introduce loyalty programmes, and expand the business by getting reviews. I’ve already helped my father, and now I’m keen to help others.”
Joshua, who also studies business, highlighted the broader social impact of the initiative: “Through Voice for Locals I’ve learned about the struggles of young people and job opportunities, and what this programme can do.
“It’s given us the skills and knowledge to help local businesses.”
Abdul, an IT student with a passion for technology, described how the programme gave him practical experience: “I love tech, but I didn’t have hands-on experience yet.
“Through the programme I learned about apps and JavaScript. It’s helped grow my love for tech and automation workflows, and I can’t wait to use this to help local businesses grow.”
The event also welcomed Christopher Durkin, President of the West London Chamber of Commerce, who praised the collaboration: “It’s great to be here. I met Jay six months ago and we’ve been working together for a long time. I’m so proud of the progress and delighted to hand out the certificates.”
Students then collected their certificates of achievement, marking the successful completion of the programme and recognising their commitment and hard work throughout the training.
The ceremony concluded with remarks from Katrin Lehmann, Vice Principal for Inclusive Learning, Creative Industries and Student Experience at West Thames College: “It’s been a pleasure to be involved. West Thames College’s mission is to serve our local communities by empowering young people to reach their full potential through excellent education and wider opportunities. This exciting and innovative project brings those aims together. Thank you to the students for their dedication – the growth we’ve seen has been wonderful, and there is so much potential ahead.”
The graduation underscored the growing impact of partnerships between education providers, community initiatives and local businesses, highlighting how collaboration can create meaningful opportunities for young people while supporting the local economy.
