Padiham pupils talk job prospects with Education Secretary

The minister met Year 10 pupils from the Padiham secondary school at BAE Systems’ Academy for Skills and Knowledge near Preston.

The Secretary of State heard from school pupils and BAE Systems apprentices about their experiences of careers education. Schools and colleges in Lancashire provide among the best careers education to young people in the country, according to the latest research from the Careers and Enterprise Company.

The Education Secretary also heard from the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership, The Careers and Enterprise Company and partner BAE Systems about how they are working with schools and colleges to create partnerships that respond to local labour market needs.

Shuttleworth College is the lead school in the ‘Lancashire Careers Hub’. Launched in 2018, the Careers Hub brings together 30 schools and colleges across Burnley, Pendle and Blackpool to transform careers education for Young People.

The Hub is funded by the government-backed Careers and Enterprise Company and overseen by the Lancashire LEP. Last October, the Lancashire Hub and delivery partner Inspira won the national award for the Careers Hub of the Year in the annual Careers Excellence Awards.

Mr Williamson said: “Good careers advice is vital for young people to learn about the world of work and choose a route that is best suited to their skills and talents.

“That’s why we established our network of 40 Career Hubs so schools and colleges can work together with local employers of all sizes to build relationships with students and introduce them to a wide range of opportunities.

“It was brilliant to meet students and apprentices from Shuttleworth College and hear about the great work being done by BAE Systems to make sure young people get the skills and knowledge they need for the jobs of the future.”

John Yarham, interim chief executive of The Careers and Enterprise Company, said: “We are delighted the Secretary of State got a chance to see the great work of schools like Shuttleworth and employers like BAE Systems, and we hope he’ll take that message back to Westminster so other can learn from this example of excellence.”

Steve Fogg, chairman of the Lancashire LEP and Managing Director of BAE Systems Shared Services, said: “Through this kind of excellent careers provision, we are improving the job prospects of young people and creating the pipeline of talent that local businesses need to thrive.

“This help promotes inclusive growth and maximises social mobility to the benefit of the local community as a whole in Lancashire.”

Careers Hubs are centres of careers education excellence across the country. They are local partnerships bringing a group of up to 40 schools and colleges together with business and community organisations to focus on improving outcomes for young people.

The Lancashire Careers Hub works closely with Lancashire’s Enterprise Adviser Network, a network of senior businesspeople who volunteer to help schools and colleges plan and develop their careers programmes. The Network is co-funded by Lancashire County Council on behalf of the LEP and the Careers and Enterprise Company and is delivered by Inspira.