Recent studies show there is an increasing number of young people in 6th form opting not to go to university. This means there is now a cross-section of young people with the desire to go straight into employment with training and career progression opportunities.
The Post 16 Career Internship Programme has been mapped against the newly launched D2N2 Employability Framework developed by the University of Derby and Evolve Trust. The framework aims to address the ‘mismatch’ between the skills young people leave schools, colleges and post-16 training programmes with, and the skills actually being sought by local employers.I’ve seen forward-thinking organisations benefit from incorporating young people into their business. I urge all businesses to take this opportunity!Caroline CoxThis is why a partnership has been developed between Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Area Partnership (a partnership of schools across Mansfield) and Mansfield 2020 (a membership group of businesses across Mansfield and Ashfield). They have joined forces to give young people in year 13 who have made an informed choice not to go to university and provide them with a structured career-related internship as part of their timetable during 6th form.
Mansfield 2020 is working alongside local businesses to create awareness, interest and promote the benefit of having an intern work within their organisation. Businesses are being asked to provide a business-related project that a young person can complete within the business environment from October to June 2016 – ideally ½ a day per week but this is flexible according to the timetable and business requirements.
Mansfield Area Partnership is working with groups of 6th formers from all the local Mansfield schools to develop a bank of CVs that outline current skills sets and future career aspirations.We have an outstanding talent pool in Mansfield – they have the ability, attitude and desire to work within their chosen sector and now just need the opportunities that our partnership will create!Berni DickinsonThe partnerships will provide businesses with suitable young people that are work ready and will provide an added benefit to their organisation.
This scheme is fully funded by Mansfield District Council as part of their regeneration service to the town, therefore, there are zero costs involved for businesses to be involved and make a difference a young person’s future. This partnership has created a unique opportunity for businesses to identify a future star that could help drive their business forward.
Cllr Dave Saunders, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at Mansfield District Council, said: “This is an exciting project for the council to be leading on as it offers a real alternative for 6th form students who wish to enter the workforce without attending university.You cannot put a value on having a young person’s perspective within the business. Their skills set and enthusiasm was refreshing and provided our business with support on a business project that we did not have the resources for internally but allowed us to move forward. I believe the experience provided our young person with confidence that you just don’t get from a classroom.’Malcolm Yates