We work in partnership with The Careers and Enterprise Company to help young people reach their potential and attain the relevant skills, competencies and attainment ready for the world of work.

Our team of CEC Enterprise Coordinators work with schools and college leadership teams to build careers and employer engagement plans relevant to the labour market. Each school and college is matched to and supported by an Enterprise Adviser – a senior volunteer from business who helps unlock relationships with other local businesses.

The areas of focus are:

• Review current careers provision using the Compass tool
• Putting in place a careers plan that meets the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks
• Introducing 5 high-impact types of provision – talks/site visits/mentoring/enterprise/work experience
• Quality CV and mock interviews
• The use of quality labour market information
• Driving awareness of all pathways including apprenticeships
• Promoting the opportunities that STEM provides, especially for young women and other cohorts

The Further Education South East Midlands (FuSE) group, comprising further education college principals, are focused on implementing recommendations from the Government’s South East Midlands further education area review alongside reviewing skills needs and priorities.

In addition, a SEMLEP FuSE Operational Group, focuses on delivery of relevant provision, skills and employer engagement including apprenticeships.

Employer engagement is sought by the colleges to support provision development, work experience and keeping up to date with developments in the workplace.

Contact details can be obtained from paul.thompson@semlep.com.

Universities and their associated business schools are key to the UK’s economic wellbeing and have the exciting potential to support businesses in becoming more competitive and innovative.

The South East Midlands hosts a phenomenal array of world-leading education, learning and research assets that can, and do make a significant impact in helping businesses to improve product, service development and delivery. The area’s six high performing business schools and seven university campuses are open gateways for UK-based businesses who want to innovate to maximise their potential and, overseas investors seeking the optimum location for a new UK business base.

For details on SEMLEP’s capital investments, click on the Investments for Growing People below.