Bucks Skills Hub was awarded an extension to its existing careers hub to cover all mainstream secondary schools in Buckinghamshire, as announced by the Department for Education and the Careers & Enterprise Company.
The expansion gives the opportunity for an additional 16 schools and colleges to join the programme, working together with universities, training providers, employers and career professionals. This extension gives the Buckinghamshire Careers Hub an opportunity to accelerate and build upon the careers education already taking place in schools and colleges in the area.
Every secondary mainstream school and college in Buckinghamshire will have access to this additional support to boost careers provision, ensuring young people have the opportunities they need in the future. Improving the skills of young people will provide employers with the expertise they need and help develop the next generation of talent, which will also boost the local economy.
Marina Jackson, Under 19 Skills Manager & Careers Hub Lead, Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said:
“I’m thrilled that the first stage of our Careers Hub has been so successful, and its performance demonstrates the dedication of our teachers, businesses and training providers in nurturing the next generation of talent. For young people in Buckinghamshire to have a rewarding career, it is vital that they are aware of the careers opportunities and the skills our businesses require to succeed. Thanks to this expansion, we can work even harder to give our students the best start on their route to high-quality careers, while supporting our job creators and key sectors.”
This announcement follows the latest review by the Careers & Enterprise Company that shows Buckinghamshire Careers Hub as the top performing careers hub in the country, outperforming the national average against the Gatsby Benchmarks - the government’s framework of eight guidelines that define the best careers provision in secondary schools.
Working through a partnership approach with schools, colleges, employers, local enterprise partnerships and other local organisations, Careers Hubs have accelerated levels of support and improvement in young people’s career development. Careers Hubs were at the forefront of efforts to respond to the initial period of lockdown, continuing to offer young people support with their career decision-making.
Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, Gillian Keegan said:
“We want young people across the country to receive the best careers advice so they can get a head start in the world of work and go on to have successful careers.
“The expansion of our Careers Hubs will mean we are now supporting more than 2,200 schools and colleges, bringing them together with employers to provide high-quality careers guidance.
“Now, more than ever, it’s vital young people make the most of their talents and are aware of the range of opportunities available. This is brilliant news and I look forward to hearing about the progress made.”