Careers Hub launched, with mission to improve careers outcomes for every young person

Careers Hub team and event speakers

HUB INVESTMENT WILL FACILITATE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL EMPLOYERS AND CAREERS LEADERS IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES TO INSPIRE AND PREPARE SCHOOL LEAVERS FOR THE WORLD OF WORK.

• The South East Midlands Careers Hub joins a national network of centres of excellence to improve careers outcomes for young people.
• Bringing together local employers, schools and colleges the Careers Hub will contribute to raising standards of careers education marked against eight industry benchmarks, known as the Gatsby Benchmarks.
• It will be one of the largest Careers Hubs to join the national network, working with 150 schools, multiple colleges, and training providers

Over 200 representatives from education and business went back to school this week to mark the formal launch of the South East Midlands Careers Hub.

The Careers Hub’s role is to connect local employers with schools, colleges and careers leaders to coordinate careers education and enhance each student’s early experiences of the work place.

This new South East Midlands Careers Hub builds on the success of Careers Hub Luton, expanding and strengthening activity across Bedfordshire and Luton, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire.

Hub-supported programmes will facilitate partnerships with the shared aims of inspiring young people and giving students the knowledge and practical skills to make decisions about their future careers.

Speaking at the launch event, Chief Executive of the Careers and Enterprise Company, Oli de Botton said, “It’s fantastic news that young people in the South East Midlands will now have the support of a Careers Hub in helping them take their best next step.
“What we know is our thriving national network of Careers Hubs and the local partnerships they foster are driving consistent improvements in careers education across the country – especially for the young people and communities that need the most support.

“The longer Careers Hubs work together with local schools and colleges the more depth and breadth of exposure students have to employers and the world of work. That leads to better understanding of all possible pathways – particularly vocational and apprenticeships - better awareness of opportunities and the skills needed to get there and better outcomes for young people.”

Opening the event, Chair of SEMLEP, Peter Horrocks CBE said, “"Our businesses repeatedly tell us that finding people with the right skills to grow their businesses is one of their greatest challenges. This new Careers Hub will help deliver expertise and create connections to help match young people and their careers with the future needs of the local economy."

The South East Midlands Careers Hub is being funded by the Careers and Enterprise Company, together The Connolly Foundation, Luton Borough Council, Tresham College (part of Bedford College Group) and SEMLEP.

Five priority areas for the South East Midlands Careers Hub are:

• Connecting careers provision in schools and colleges to the needs of the local economy
• Targeting interventions for economically disadvantaged young people, those who face additional barriers and those at risk of leaving school and not continuing training or getting a job
• Amplifying the opportunities of apprenticeships, technical and vocational routes into work
• Facilitating more, high quality experiences with employers for students and teachers
• Embedding best practice in careers provision in schools and colleges.

The launch event was hosted on Wednesday 22 February by Shenley Brook  End School. 

The event's programme and guest speakers is listed below: 

Arrival, networking breakfast | colleges and providers marketplace and exhibition 

Peter Horrocks CBE, SEMLEP Chair. Welcome address.

Oli de Botton, Chief Executive, Careers and Enterprise Company.
Modern Careers education: a lever for school improvement and student motivation.

Panel discussion chaired by Oli de Botton with Q&A.
• Sydney Samuels, Vice Chair Youth Advisory Group, Careers and Enterprise Company, Founder & CEO Loop Not Luck Ltd.
• Caroline Dawes, Head of Standards & Effectiveness in Education, Luton Council
• Pat Brennan-Barrett, CEO and Principal, Northampton College, Chair of Skills Advisory Panel, Chair of SEMLEP Colleges Group.
• Vinette Hoffman-Gibbs, Careers Leader, All Saints Academy Dunstable.
• Kevin Rogers, Chair & Partner at Wilson Browne Solicitors, Chair of the LSIP Executive Group, Director Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Trustees and Enterprise Advisor at Guilsborough Multi Academy Trust
• Ryan Gibson, Senior Adviser for Careers, The Gatsby Foundation.
• Chris Holmwood, Head Teacher, Shenley Brook End School.

David Andrews OBE, Careers Education & Guidance Consultant.
Effective approaches to careers leadership in schools and colleges.

Isobel Taylor, Strategic Hub Lead, SEMLEP. Overview of South East Midlands Careers Hub priorities 2023 linking education and employment.

Mandy Green, Operational Hub Lead, SEMLEP. Q&A and closing remarks