Member Article

Leading businesses back NE1 youth employment initiative

NE1 Ltd, the Business Improvement District company for Newcastle, has launched a new initiative to create employment opportunities and improve skills and education training.

Aimed at young people between 16 and 19 in the Tyne and Wear region, NE1 CAN will provide direct links between 1,400 business members and young people in the North East.

One of the initiative’s key goals is to equip young people with transitional skills that will carry them from schools and college into the workplace.

These skills include a greater awareness and understanding of career choices and what businesses want and need from their workers, as well as an appreciation of their own skills, experience and abilities.

NE1 CAN is working with a growing number of schools and colleges and has already teamed up with businesses including the NHS, Marks & Spencer, Leeds Building Society, Nigel Wright and NRG among others.

To date, a number of business-led training and skills sessions have been organised including mock interviews, CV writing, as well as quality work experience opportunities across a range of industry sectors allowing young people to visit workplaces, access work experience placements and have the chance to apply for jobs and apprenticeships.

Events are planned over the coming months with Virgin Money as well as sessions with Bond Dickinson and others.

NE1 CAN is always seeking volunteers from businesses keen to get involved and can work with employers to develop bespoke events and activities.

Sean Bullick, Chief Executive of NE1 said: “The North East business community has been really keen to get involved and to throw its weight behind this unique approach to tackling the dual issues of youth unemployment and the lack of skilled employees in the region.

“NE1 CAN is unique because it takes services direct to young people, often within an individual business, or commercial environment.

“It has allowed us to extend our reach, have a greater impact and deliver even greater results. We have over 1,400 business members across all industry sectors and through NE1 CAN we canhighlight the skills and training they need in their new recruits.

“We have already had some great successes and are working hard to raise aspirations and help more young people into quality work, education or training.”

Elaine Tulip-Johnson, managing consultant at Nigel Wright Group, one of the businesses involved in the new NE1 CAN initiative, added: “Nigel Wright deals with hundreds of executive and professional appointments in the UK and overseas each year.

“The advice we’re able to offer these young people on areas such as job interviews, CVs and employability will not only benefit them now but will stay with them throughout their working lives.”

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