WARWICKSHIRE MEANS BUSINESS

Warwickshire announced as new Careers Hub

"This new funding which will build on and expand the work that we have been doing with our schools and colleges for a number of years through our Skills for Employment Programme."

Warwickshire County Council's longstanding commitment to providing young people with maximum career pathways has received a boost after the county was included in a new wave of Careers Hubs across the country.

Warwickshire and Coventry are to become two of 18 new Careers Hubs, the first in the area, following an announcement this week by the Secretary of State.

Warwickshire Careers Hub will be integrated with Warwickshire County Council's existing Skills for Employment Programme. It will add a new dimension to the ongoing work that the county council has been doing to establish bridges between education-providers and employers  for a number of years.

The first 20 Careers Hubs were launched by the Careers & Enterprise Company across England last September. Schools and colleges in that first wave are already outperforming the national average across all aspects of careers education.

This week's announcement is for a second wave of  Careers Hubs, backed by a further £2.5m investment. Just over 1,300 secondary schools and colleges (around a quarter of those in England) will now benefit from being part of a Careers Hub.

Each Hub brings together a group of up to 40 schools and colleges give every school and college in the area the opportunity to work together with universities, training providers, employers and career professionals.

Monica Fogarty, Chief Executive of Warwickshire County Council, said: “Warwickshire County Council welcomes this new funding which will build on and expand the work that we have been doing with our schools and colleges for a number of years through our Skills for Employment Programme.

“We know that effective careers and employability advice and support are critical components of a successful labour market, while also providing clear social benefits, increasing the likelihood of successful employment outcomes and lifetime earnings.

“Ensuring that all our young people develop strong employability skills, and are provided with effective and appropriate careers advice and support, is a key priority for the County Council.”

Schools and colleges in the hub will have access to further support and funding, including an expert ‘Hub Lead’ to help coordinate activity and build networks, a central fund to support employer engagement activities and training for a ‘Careers Leader’ in each school and college.

Employers are vital to the Hub model's success and more than 100 ‘Cornerstone Employers’ across the country have committed to driving and championing all-important connections to the world of work. Cornerstone Employers work with a specific Hub and underwrite careers provision in these areas. 

Marion Plant, Board Director of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to accelerate and build upon the careers education already taking place in schools and colleges in the area.

“Every school and college in Coventry and Warwickshire will have access to this additional support to enhance careers provision to ensure young people have the opportunities they need in the future.

“Improving the skills of young people will provide employers will the expertise they need and develop the next generation of talent which will also boost the local economy.”

Claudia Harris, CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “Careers education is improving across the country. The accelerated progress we’re seeing in the first wave of Careers Hubs shows that this model is working and delivering for young people.

“We are delighted that the Government’s investment is supporting us to roll out this model to a quarter of schools and colleges in the country, helping more young people get the vital support and opportunities they need.”

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