North East selected to host lead Careers Hub
The North East has been selected to host a prestigious Careers Hub dedicated to improving careers education for young people.
One of 21 across England, the ‘North East Ambition: Careers Hub’ will support schools and colleges in the region to implement and achieve the 8 Gatsby Career Benchmarks – the clearly defined framework for ‘Good Career Guidance’.
Delivered by The Careers & Enterprise Company in partnership with the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the North East Ambition: Careers Hub will comprise of 40 secondary schools with a separate Hub servicing 10 colleges – including all nine FE colleges in the North East and one sixth form college.
Heidi Mottram, Vice Chair of the North East LEP, said: “Following our successful delivery of the Gatsby Career Benchmarks pilot, I’m delighted another of the initiatives trailed and tested here in our region is being rolled out across the country as part of the Government’s Careers Strategy.
“In recognition of our experience delivering outstanding careers guidance, the North East Ambition: Careers Hub will be the national lead, supporting the other 20 to deliver the eight Gatsby benchmarks in schools and colleges across England.”
Alongside the North East LEP, SCHOOLS NorthEast campaigned for the Gatsby benchmarks to be piloted in the North East in 2015, having been a long-standing supporter of improving careers education in the region.
At the SCHOOLS NorthEast FutureReady event held in February 2018, Careers and Enterprise Company’s Chief Operating Officer Natalie Cramp said that “North East schools were instrumental in the creation of the Government’s new Careers Strategy.”
Mike Parker, SCHOOLS NorthEast Director, said: “This is a fantastic result for the North East. NELEP and their partners, alongside the Careers and Enterprise Company, have worked extremely hard to bring careers education to our region.
“This is great news for our region’s schools and our young people, and I’m proud of the part that SCHOOLS NorthEast has played in shining a light on the region.”
The Careers Hubs are a central part of the Government’s Careers Strategy which was published in December. The strategy aims to improve careers education and help prepare young people for the world of work.
Schools and colleges enrolled in the Hubs will work with universities, training providers, employers and career professionals to improve careers education. They will be supported by a ‘Hub Lead’ and Enterprise Coordinators who will help coordinate activity and build networks. They will also be able to access a Central Hub Fund, equivalent to around £1,000 per school or college, with additional support available, including access to training for career leaders and enhanced employer encounters.
The North East is the only region in England to host a dedicated Hub for colleges.
Heidi continued: “Improving careers education for young people and ensuring businesses have access to a skilled workforce is central to our Strategic Economic Plan for the North East.
“The North East Ambition: Careers Hub will help us achieve this by giving young people access to high quality careers guidance and preparing them for the world of work.”