Employers pledge to help young people in the Coventry and Warwickshire Careers Hubs prepare for world of work
Four major employers in Coventry and Warwickshire have signed up to the Coventry and Warwickshire Careers Hubs to help students prepare for the world of work.
Coventry Building Society, E.ON, Willmott Dixon and Severn Trent have partnered with The Careers & Enterprise Company and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) to become a ‘Cornerstone Employer’ in the Coventry and Warwickshire Careers Hubs.
They have committed to support schools and colleges in Coventry and Warwickshire with their careers’ education and with inspiring young people.
Research shows that young people who have regular, meaningful interactions with employers while at school are less likely to be NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) when they leave.
Representatives from Coventry Building Society, E.ON, Willmott Dixon and Severn Trent will work closely with The Careers & Enterprise Company and the CWLEP, who also deliver the Enterprise Adviser Network – a network of volunteers from the world of business who are each matched to a local school to support their careers activity.
Together they will ensure that young people across the region have access to regular engagement with employers to reflect the priority sectors in the Coventry and Warwickshire Careers Hubs and gain the vital work experience they need to help them make informed choices about their futures.
Cornerstone Employers act as champions to encourage new businesses in the area to get involved in supporting schools and colleges, as well as encouraging their own staff to become volunteer Enterprise Advisers.
Marion Plant, chair of the CWLEP Productivity and Skills Business Group and board director at the CWLEP, said they would be holding Cornerstone meetings with the businesses once every term.
“We are really grateful to Coventry Building Society, E.ON, Willmott Dixon and Severn Trent for giving up their time to support students in Coventry and Warwickshire,” she said.
“The first meeting has been held with a view to supporting the employers to engage with our Careers Hubs strategy and using their own experts to support the activities and resources of schools in our area.
“Seventy-two of the 80 schools and colleges in Coventry and Warwickshire have become part of the Careers Hubs and this is really important for developing a pro-active careers strategy to ensure students are developing the skills which employers want.
“We would love more employers to sign up particularly in our priority sectors of advanced manufacturing, digital and creative and professional services.”
John Yarham, Interim CEO at The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “We are delighted to have these employers committing to helping schools and colleges across Coventry and Warwickshire Careers Hubs. All young people deserve great careers education, to inspire them, support their aspirations and prepare them for the fast-changing world of work.
“Employers need to be at heart of that, so young people can learn first-hand about the careers and industries that are open to them. We are very grateful to all the employers for their ongoing support and commitment to helping the young people in the area prepare for their future careers.”
Caption: Back, Matt Alvarez (Coventry and Warwickshire Careers Hubs). Middle, from the left, Anna Cuskin (Coventry Building Society), Marie Smart (Severn Trent), Gemma Gathercole (CWLEP), Angela Tellyn (The Careers & Enterprise Company) and Ellie Long (E.ON). Front, Marie Wilkes (Willmott Dixon).
