March 2015

WARWICKSHIRE MEANS BUSINESS

Skills for Employment launches

Warwickshire County Council was joined by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, members of local businesses and senior representatives from local schools and colleges today at Stoneleigh Park to launch the Skills for Employment programme.

The county council's £2million investment, committed up to 2018, will bring together the business world with education and training to ensure that young people enter the workplace with the requisite skills.

An employability charter was considered by all delegates to agree what businesses and schools could do together to increase young people's employability when they leave education.

Among the speakers was Jonathan Shaw, formerly a pupil of Round Oak School, who spoke about his experience with the Employability scheme, run in conjunction with National Grid.

Jonathan, who suffered from a mild learning disablility, spoke about the confidence he has gained in all walks of life from being in the working world.  He made connections during the conference to get into schools and speak to young people about the benefits he has enjoyed since engaging with National Grid.

The Skills for Employment programme will encourage higher levels of work experience, and at getting teachers short term placements into businesses.  There is also a drive to encourage business leaders to go into schools and deliver motivational speeches.

Councillor Colin Hayfield portfolio holder for education and learning, said:  "The conference was well represented by both sectors.  This was not a one off event, though.  The county is in this for the long haul and the project has the full support of all parties within the county council."

Councillor June Tandy, Warwickshire County Councillor and board  member of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said:  "The skills conference was extremely interesting.  There was an excellent mix of businesses, schools, colleges and there was a lot of discussion, notably about how we can look to get young people as young as year 7 engaged with the business world."

The county council has been encouraging schools to apply for small grants that will help them to enhance their careers service.  So far, 29 schools and colleges have received around £80,000.  There are plans to offer a similar grant later in the year.

Laura Kisby, of Laurence Sheriff School, successfully applied for the grant which enabled the school to broaden its careers advice programme and increase opportunities for work placements.  She said: "The grant was perfect as it allowed us to do what we couldn't have budgeted for."

Monica Fogarty, strategic director for Communities, urged companies and schools and colleges alike to get in touch.  She said; "We welcome approaches from everyone - schools, colleges, businesses who can improve the journey from education to full-time employment.  It is an investment in the region's future that we cannot afford not to make."

To see if your school, college or business can get involved in the Skills for Employment programme, call Glenn Robinson on 07825 317414 or email glennrobinson@warwickshire.gov.uk.

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