Blackpool to be part of new "careers hub"

A new Careers Hub to help transform careers education for young people in Blackpool has been announced.
Michele Lawty-JonesMichele Lawty-Jones
Michele Lawty-Jones

Developed by The Careers and Enterprise Company, and to be overseen by the Lancashire LEP’s Skills and Employment Hub, the Careers Hub will also cover Burnley and Pendle.

It will be made up of local schools and colleges working together with universities, training providers, employers and career professionals to improve careers education.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Hub will have access to support and funding to help them meet the ‘gold standard’ of careers education which includes a “Hub Lead” to help coordinate activity and build networks.

There will also be access to bursaries for individual schools and colleges to train “careers leaders”, plus a Central Hub Fund equivalent to around £1k per school or college.

And finally, access to funding for schools to support employer encounters.

One of the reasons the LEP has successfully secured the Careers Hub is due to its track record in working with employers to help deliver careers support and advice.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For example, its Enterprise Adviser Network, which matches local schools with volunteers from local companies to help boost employment prospects for young people, now has over 134 volunteer strategic leaders from business working directly with 123 Lancashire schools and colleges.

Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, director of the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, said: “Through our Enterprise Adviser Network we have already developed strong partnerships between local employers and schools.

“Now, by establishing a new Careers Hub which includes Blackpool we will be able to build on this success.”

Graham Cowley, chairman, Blackpool Opportunity Partnership Board said: “The Blackpool Opportunity Area is delighted to be supporting the Lancashire Careers Hub pilot. The Hub will help our students to connect with the best job opportunities, thereby improving aspiration and social mobility.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Claudia Harris, chief executive of The Careers and Enterprise Company, said: “We’re excited by the potential impact of the Hubs. If employers, schools and colleges can better prepare young people for the world of work, we’re not just benefiting the future economy, but improving prospects for thousands of young people.”