THE NORTH EAST’S leading businesses have pledged their support for a unique initiative to help improve the employability of Sunderland’s young people.
Work Discovery Week – which was set up to improve relationships between the region’s companies and pupils from schools in Sunderland – will return for the third year this summer.
And once again a whole host of organisations have come on board to sponsor the event, without whom it wouldn’t take place.
Gentoo, the University of Sunderland, Sunderland College, Arriva, Nissan, the Bridges, Liebherr, and Northumbrian Water are all sponsoring WDW 2015, as are Ashmore Consultants, Northern Print Solutions, Calsonic Kansei, Accenture and TRW.
The event is also supported by SAFC, Sunderland City Council and the NECC and representatives for all the organisations officially launched this year’s event at the Stadium of Light this week.
“It’s fantastic that all of these important businesses are sponsoring Work Discovery Week,” said Gary Hutchinson, Commercial Director of SAFC and co-chair of Sunderland’s Economic Leadership Board Business Schools Task Group, which set up Work Discovery Sunderland.
“This is such an important opportunity for the young people in Sunderland and without the sponsors it couldn’t take place.
“We receive an overwhelming degree of support from the business community for this initiative, which has helped not only develop better relationships between schools and business but has also given pupils an opportunity to learn all about the careers that are open to them.”
This year’s Work Discovery Week runs from June 29 to July 3, with a full programme including a careers fair, business visits and problem solving challenges.
The week ties in with a wider initiative – Work Discovery Sunderland – which sees young people attending specialist sector days and inspirational speaker days.
There are still opportunities to sponsor Work Discovery Week or to take a stand at the career fair. For further information contact Sorted PR on 0191 265 6111 or email bernice@sortedpr.com