First of its kind project launches to connect local schools and local employers for better careers outcomes
Brighton & Hove City Council and Coast to Capital Careers Hub are supporting a brand new, first of its kind project in Brighton with Brighton Chamber. Its aim is to raise career aspirations and opportunities for school and college students in the city.
The new partnership will run for the next year until Sept 2023. It includes a membership to Brighton Chamber for all local secondary schools and colleges and an exciting programme of events and initiatives, all designed to help careers leaders and their students connect with local employers.
The joint programme of work will include connecting teachers with industry leaders, offer students the chance to visit local employers and hear from inspiring business leaders and find and create quality work experience opportunities for students across the city.
One of the areas that the schools will be able to tap into with the business community is the growth of jobs and careers in the green & circular economy. There are an estimated 15,000 small and medium sized businesses in Brighton & Hove and many offer valuable training and work experience opportunities and are looking for future employees.
Brighton Chamber’s Head of Member Engagement and Deputy CEO, Amy Lishman, said: “It’s exciting to be joining up with Coast to Capital Careers Hub and Brighton Council to offer this brilliant opportunity for schools and colleges to create better connections and strengthen relationships between education and employers in the city.”
Penny Daly, Careers Hub – Enterprise Coordinator for Brighton & Hove said: “I am proud to have instigated this collaboration with the Careers Hub, Chamber and Brighton & Hove City Council to offer an array of opportunities for our students, teachers and education communities across the city to raise aspirations and to help our young people of the city find their best next steps!”
The chair of the council’s Children, Young People and Skills committee, Councillor Hannah Allbrooke, said: “We’re keen to support initiatives that bring employers, education providers and our students closer together.
“Our young people are brimming with talent and motivation. But many need support in order to fulfil their potential.
“This scheme has the potential to link students with work experience and jobs that could be life changing for thousands of our young people.”
Brighton Chamber is a not-for-profit independent organisation supporting businesses, charities, and social enterprises to meet, learn and grow and is highly regarded and firmly established in the heart of the local business community. It has over 670 members from across all sectors and is growing with an average of 20 new members a month.
The Coast to Capital Careers Hub, a part of the Careers & Enterprise Company's (CEC) national network of Careers Hubs, supports the delivery of this ambition in the area.
The Careers Hub works to connect senior, local business leaders with senior leaders in local schools and colleges helping to motivate and inspire young people, to make a major impact on their future career prospects.
The purpose of the Hub is to create powerful, lasting connections between local businesses and education establishments to equip young people with the skills they need.