ABOUT 50 people from the East End have received certificates after graduating from employment and life skill training run by homeless charity Crisis.

ABOUT 50 people from the East End have received certificates after graduating from employment and life skill training run by homeless charity Crisis.

Among last Thursday's graduates were Maurizio Ferrara and Valentine Sargeant who have been learning how to build a bicycle at the Crisis Skylight employment centre in Whitechapel's Commercial Street. After completing the six-week course they will now train as bicycle mechanics, acquiring the skills needed to maintain and repair bicycles.

Crisis spokesman Garry Lemon said: "It's a win-win situation" as he explained that participants get to keep the bicycle they build, so they can avoid travel costs if getting work at a bicycle shop.

He added that this is an area with good job prospects because of the upsurge in cycling in London. Others housed by Crisis completed courses in first aid and motivational courses.