Careers Hub extended on National Employability Day to get more young people into work
Image courtesy of West of England Combined Authority
To mark National Employability Day (26 June) – Regional Mayor Tim Bowles has announced every local secondary school and college will be part of the West of England Careers Hub from September.
Led by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), the Careers Hub works with schools across the region to inspire young people and prepare them for the world of work.
Launched in 2018, the Hub is currently working remotely with 76 schools and colleges.
An award of £284,000 from the Careers & Enterprise Company will now allow it to extend to 95 from September – including special educational needs schools and pupil referral units.
The Hub will also focus more on engaging young people in low carbon and “green” careers, helping ensure the West of England “has access to the skilled workforce it needs to tackle the climate emergency”.
West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles, said: “Encouraging children and young people to develop the skills our region needs in future is at the core of our Careers Hub activity.
“This focus on home grown talent is more important than ever as we look at our region’s economic renewal, coming out of Covid-19.
“Skills and training are a top priority. I want all our young people, whatever their background or challenges, to realise their potential.
“By connecting them with what the world of work can offer them, and giving them the right skills for our region’s employer, we can give them the best possible start in their chosen career.”
Interim CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company, John Yarham, said: “Careers Hubs drive accelerated performance in careers education and have proven particularly robust and resilient during the Covid-19 crisis, continuing to support young people in local communities…
“They create a powerful partnership between schools, colleges, employers and local agencies focused on improving skills and opportunity for young people, tailored to local need – nationally led, locally developed and delivered…”
The expansion of the Hub is just part of the WECA’s work in skills and employment.
The West of England Regional Economic Recovery taskforce is working on a recovery plan – this will include support for residents to develop new skills, training and employment opportunities. WECA has committed £5m to kick-start some of this work.
WECA has also expanded its Future Bright coaching and mentoring programme to help people affected by coronavirus.
It is also continuing to support adult education providers to ensure thousands of people continue to have access to training and re-training opportunities. https://twitter.com/WestofEnglandCA/status/1276506235265835009?s=20
