More than 80 percent of secondary schools in the North East have engaged with an inspirational initiative that helps point students in the right direction for further education, training and employment.
Since the National Careers Service commenced delivery of the Supporting Inspiration initiative 264 schools throughout the North East have been engaged, with 116 schools signing up to access the full range of free services provided.
This comprises 22 across Darlington and Middlesbrough, 23 in County Durham, ten in Gateshead and Stockton and eleven in Newcastle, nine in Hartlepool, three in North Tyneside, five in Northumberland, eight in Redcar and Cleveland, three in South Tyneside and 12 in Sunderland.
The goal of Supporting Inspiration is to assist young people to develop their appreciation of the world of work, understand the local labour market, and to raise their awareness of opportunities and progression pathways.
Schools that have signed up to the service are given access to:
- An online careers portal
- An online brokerage service that provides details of employers willing to support careers education and work related learning
- Invitations to networking, best practice and briefing events
- A weekly national and local labour market information bulletin
- Signposting to initiatives and resources that complement careers education and work-related learning.
Carly Hinds, Partnership Manager in the North East, for the National Careers Service, said: “Our mission is to ensure young people across the region are equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience needed for them to have a successful future.
“We are pleased to be leading the way in building relationships with schools to make sure students are able to achieve their career aspirations.”
Mike Parker, Director of the first and only UK regional network of schools, SCHOOLS NorthEast, said: “Schools are keenly focused on giving their students the best chance of a fulfilling career after they leave education. Engaging with the National Careers Service is an important step in helping young people prepare for the world of work.
“The high proportion of teachers and careers practitioners working in schools in the North East that have embraced the Supporting Inspiration initiative is testament to their desire to ensure their students have a bright future.”
The National Careers Service in the North East recently launched its Supporting Inspiration portal,which aims to transform the way employers contribute to making young people in the region work-ready.
The service, which is part of the Government’s Inspiration agenda, matches up employers willing to inform students about the world of work, with schools and colleges across the region.
It connects with employers, in Durham, Northumberland, Tees Valley, Tyneside and Wearside, who can offer a range of careers education support such as providing work experience placements, mentoring students face-to-face and online and attending careers fairs.
For more information head teachers and employers should log onto www.supportinginspiration.org.uk/NE or email supportinginspiration@cfbt.com