Let's Go Rural programme will bring employers and young career-seekers together

"With the fantastic support of Warwickshire College Group and the business and education-providers, this is an exciting initiative which could make a real difference to the rural economy and the lives of some young people around the county."

Rural businesses and young people looking for potential careers are being brought together by a groundbreaking programme delivered by Warwickshire Skills Hub.

The Let's Go Rural programme is part of the Warwickshire Brighter Futures project, run by Warwickshire County Council and funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund.

It is designed to open up rural workplaces to 16-24 years old who are unemployed or economically inactive. While kickstarting the careers of those youngsters, it will also help employers to fill their skills gaps

To deliver the project, Warwickshire Skills Hub is working closely, as it does in so many ways, with Warwickshire College Group which has set up several day-long courses to take place over the next few months.

The Draycote Hotel, near Rugby, will host a course, supported by Rugby College. Moreton Morrell College and the Garden & Grill pub, near Warwick, will host courses supported by AGCO.

Warwickshire College Group business development manager John Colclough said: "The Let's Go Rural project is a great way to bring together employers and potential employees for their mutual benefit.

"Rural businesses are struggling after all that has been thrown at them in the last  couple of years. The tourist and hospitality sectors have been hit as hard as any and many rural businesses are in these sectors.

"There is a skills shortage and the Let's Go Rural project will help address these by enabling young people to take a look at businesses from within for a day and see and hear what they are about.

"Certain myths persist about jobs in the hospitality sector - that they are all about anti-social hours without leading anywhere in terms of career progression. In reality, there is a huge range of opportunities in the sector - catering, baristas, accounting, event-hosting and co-ordinating, housekeeping, HR and many more. Whatever the skills or passion of a young person, there will be a vacancy to suit.

"It is great that employers and education-providers have got involved with Let's Go Rural and are committed to delivering a really enjoyable and interesting day for the youngsters. We are very grateful to all of them."

Further rural tours, delivered by WCG, Stratford & Solihull College and Hereward College, are coming soon.

Vicki Haslam, senior business skills advisor at Warwickshire Skills Hub, said: "The Let's Go Rural programme is all about connecting people - bringing together businesses which need to recruit with young people looking to embark on a career.

"With the fantastic support of Warwickshire College Group and the business and education-providers, this is an exciting initiative which could make a real difference to the rural economy and the lives of some young people around the county."

Each Let's Go Rural event will take place over one day whereby young people are taken on a morning tour and hear about roles available at those businesses. Over lunchtime there is a breakaway lunch activity where the young people explore their personal skills and attributes and how they might be matched with what the businesses are looking for from employees.

The afternoon brings a campus tour of a local college or training provider to explore the routes into rural work – apprenticeships, full time provision or industry placements.

To be eligible, youngsters must be: 16-24 years old, unemployed or economically inactive (not actively searching for a job) and living at a Warwickshire address. Transport and lunch are included.

* The Warwickshire Brighter Futures project has received £1.1 million pound from the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund. 

 The UK Community Renewal Fund is a UK Government programme which aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It invests in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment.

For more information, please visit:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-community-renewal-fundprospectus