Council teams up with schools to launch Leeds Careers Charter

Leeds City Council and its partners in business and education have come together to pledge their commitment to support and improve the skills of young people in Leeds to make informed choices and plan their future careers.

The council, working with business, schools and young people, has launched the Leeds Careers Charter. The charter aims to empower young people and support them to develop the skills, attitudes and behaviours that employer’s value. The city’s schools and learning institutions aim to deliver world class careers education and guidance to ensure that all our young people secure good jobs and progress, making sure no one is left behind.

Deciding which career path to take is challenging and with continuing changes in the education and skills system alongside a fast changing job market, mapping out a future direction is not easy for our young people. While many of our schools and learning institutions provide good careers education and guidance, not all young people know how and where to access this support or are aware of the key skills and attributes and behaviours that employers value.

The Charter, launched at the Leeds Art Gallery last night, has been informed by young people across the city and will drive and support a long term commitment to improving the futures of young people in Leeds.

Leeds Careers Charter sets out 8 commitments of practical support to inspire, inform and involve young people in their journey for a successful future.

These are:

• Guidance & support from careers professionals
• Experiences of the workplace
• Lessons linked to the world of work & future careers
• Inspiration & advice direct from amazing employers
• Information on options with sixth forms, colleges, universities & training providers
• Opportunities to develop essential work & life skills
• Access to apprenticeships, jobs & future career possibilities
• Personalised Digital Profile & CV to record skills, experiences & goals

Start in Leeds is a new online and interactive careers guidance platform developed by Leeds based Ed-tech company U-Explore through a contract awarded by the council that will begin to fulfil some of the charter’s commitments.

The platform provides a wealth of information and guidance to young people and their families as they pursue their future career ambitions. It will offer every young person in Leeds moving through high school education, college and into work, the opportunity to access the most up to-date information to inform their future study and career choices, through their computer, phone or tablet.

With interactive e-learning activities, available for use in schools, colleges and at home, the platform sets out to inspire young people with up-to-date information on the full range of career opportunities in and around the city and help them to improve their chances of securing high-skilled employment.

Start in Leeds will also allow all young people in the city to build a digital profile and CV and to search and apply for post-16 full-time education and apprenticeship opportunities. The digital profile and CV will also help young people to apply for opportunities at a later stage and age as they move from learning to earning.

To ensure that as many young people as possible have the chance to use the platform, a range of support will be made available to schools, as well as opportunities for local employers to get involved and contribute to video content and company profiles to bring jobs and opportunities alive.

Leeds City Council is committed to ensuring that all young people and their families are better informed about the jobs, careers and opportunities available to them. This new platform, alongside Leeds Careers Charter marks a key step in delivering this ambition to provide visible and accessible pathways to ensure that young people transition successfully from learning to earning.

Leeds City Council executive member for learning, skills and employment Councillor Jonathan Pryor said:

“This is an exciting time for young people and their future career prospects in Leeds. As part of our commitment to ensuring that young people have the best possible opportunity to fully realise their potential the Leeds Careers Charter sets out a clear commitment to provide guidance, experiences, support and technology to young people.

The introduction of Start in Leeds is an important strategic step within the wider context of our city’s inclusive economic growth strategy, which is supporting billions of pounds of inward investment, regeneration and business growth to Leeds.

“Not only will all young people be able to access a wealth of information and new e-learning activities, including the creation of a digital portfolio, to develop and build their own career aspirations, schools, the council and wider stakeholders will also be able to access and use a wealth of data which will be created through the new platform.

“I am looking forward to seeing the city take further steps to fulfil the charter and support all our young people in the best possible way.”

Founder of U-Explore Limited Andy Pickles said:

“We are delighted to be working with the council to provide the solution for young people to search and apply for post-16 opportunities in Leeds. This will give all young people access to apply for the full range of learning, training and employment opportunities available.

“By adding this to the tools available to schools and providers using Start in Leeds, we’re creating a single place to inspire, inform and connect young people with the fantastic career and study opportunities the city has to offer."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

U-Explore is an Ed-tech careers guidance company and creator of Start (startprofile.com), a free careers platform used by over 4,200 schools and colleges across the UK.

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007