Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has highlighted Bridge to Work at Loughborough College at the launch of a major new network.
The Secretary of State and Loughborough MP was at the National Space Centre to help launch the Enterprise Adviser Network from Leicester and Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, working with the Careers and Enterprise Company.
Bridge to Work, which is led by Loughborough College and links employers, schools and the community, is set to build on the support and training the initiative provides for young people across the region after being awarded a £100,000 grant from a major fund created by the Careers and Enterprise Company - part of their national scheme to help prepare nearly a quarter of a million 11-18 year olds across England for the world of work.
According to research, increasing the number of encounters young people have with employers while in education dramatically reduces their chances of becoming Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET) and increases future salary by on average 18%.
A rigorous selection process saw Bridge to Work named as a winning beneficiary for demonstrating “a track record of success” and for having “the ability to scale up and do more”.
The work-ready ‘talent pipeline’ Bridge to Work helps provide for a huge and growing number of employers in the East Midlands won Loughborough College a prestigious national further education ‘Oscar’.
Nicky Morgan, who has backed Bridge to Work since it began in 2012, explained that £184,000 from the Careers and Enterprise Fund had been awarded to “excellent local initiatives.
“Bridge to Work, based at Loughborough College, an initiative I have been delighted to support as a local MP, is one of the recipients.
“It offers flexible courses, work experience, interview training, employability and job coaching, as well as intensive courses in vital English, maths and ICT skills.
“Its focus on the skills gap is helping young people to make a smooth transition from education to the world of work.
“In October last year I was thrilled to be able to attend one of their careers events, alongside Claudia Harris of the Careers and Enterprise Company. “
Loughborough College Lead Job Coach Emma Pattison said: “The £100,000 awarded from the Careers & Enterprise Company Investment Fund will enable Bridge to Work to grow significantly, benefiting 7000 young people from all over North West Leicestershire who need help into employment over the next 18 months.
“We are excited to be talking to organisations about sharing our expertise and expanding the reach of the initiative.
“Bridge to Work is designed to help young people improve skills for the workplace, confidence in the job market and promote and find opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships and careers.
“Working with local schools, colleges, Job Centre referrals and self-referrals, together with employers and alternative providers, we are identifying young people in need and delivering targeted support.
“This addresses the skills shortages highlighted by industry and helps young people make informed decisions about training and employment, raising their aspirations and ensuring they reach their potential.
“When a school or college student is told there are jobs out there and what they need to do to be successful, it can be really inspiring for them. For the employers, joining us to help create their own ‘talent pipeline’ can only benefit their company and their industry.”
Bridge to Work already works with more than 30 employers, including M&S, Boots, 3M, The National Space Centre, Barratt Homes, Caterpillar, DHL, NHS, Lloyds Bank, RBS, Dalycom, Imago and Lime Tree Day Nurseries and amongst a range of innovations is a regular digital portal service connecting students in the region and a host of employers from a diversity of sectors.
Claudia Harris, Chief Executive of The Careers & Enterprise Company, officially launched the LLEP’s local Enterprise Adviser Network at the event. On announcing the recipients of the investment fund she said: “We are delighted to award Loughborough College and Bridge to Work with funding to continue its amazing work….”
Less than half of schools in England – currently only 40% - offer employer engagement to young people, with provision for careers support varying dramatically across the country.
The fund administered by The Careers & Enterprise Company has secured matched funding which will mean, in total, £9.5 million is being distributed to 33 winning organisations across England.
In addition to Bridge to Work, other local schemes benefiting from the fund are the Engineering Development Trust, Founders for Schools, Twenty Twenty and World Skills UK.
Pictured: Education Secretary Nicky Morgan highlights Bridge to Work at Loughborough College at the launch of the LLEP Enterprise Adviser Network launch