Boost for careers support in the Midlands Engine

• Six new ‘Careers Hubs’ to lead excellence in careers support for young people in Midlands
• Rapid improvement amongst the first wave of Hubs launched across country last year

Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine, has welcomed the expansion of a successful model helping to transform careers education across the Midlands.

In September, The Careers & Enterprise Company launched four ‘Careers Hubs’ across the Midlands. Each Hub brings together a group of up to 40 schools and colleges to improve careers support for young people in their area.

They have now announced an expansion to a further seven Careers Hubs across the Midlands. 312 secondary schools and colleges in the Midlands will now benefit from being part of a Careers Hub.

Building on success

Careers Hubs bring together schools and colleges with employers, universities, training providers and career professionals to improve outcomes for young people, through a relentless focus on best practice.

Schools and colleges will have access to support and funding, including an expert ‘Hub Lead’ to help coordinate activity and build networks, a central fund to support employer engagement activities, and training for a ‘Careers Leader’ in each school and college.

Schools and colleges in this first wave of Careers Hubs are already outperforming the national average across all aspects of careers education. After two terms, schools and colleges which are part of the first wave of Hubs across the country are:

• outperforming the national average on every single one of the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of good careers guidance
• the majority (58%) are providing every student with regular encounters with employers
• the majority (52%) are providing every student with workplace experiences such as work experience, shadowing or workplace visits

A proven model

The Careers Hubs are based on a model first piloted by the Gatsby Foundation and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership from 2015-17. Schools and colleges in the pilot made rapid progress against the Gatsby Benchmarks, and independent evaluation showed increased attainment and career readiness among students.

Sir John Peace, Midlands Engine Chairman, said:

“The Midlands Engine welcome this news and supports the investment in preparing young people for the world of work. The Careers Hubs will help connecting business and young people in a way that can have a transformative effect. High quality careers support and engagement in employers is vital if we’re to secure the next generation of skilled employers who will help drive forward the UK economy.”

Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP, Secretary of State for Education, said:

“It is so important that young people get to see and know about a range of different jobs and careers so they can see the possible opportunities out there. Good careers education is such a valuable asset that helps children to explore future possibilities and go on to lead happy rewarding lives.”

“Careers Hubs bring together schools, colleges, universities and employers to share their expertise and improve the careers education on offer to make sure young people have the information they need to make the most of their talents.”

“Today’s investment will give thousands more young people access to expert careers guidance as they take those first exciting steps into their future.”

Claudia Harris, CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said:

“Job education is improving across the country. The accelerated progress we’re seeing in the first wave of Careers Hubs shows that this model is working and delivering for young people, with schools and colleges in this first wave of Careers Hubs already outperforming the national average across all aspects of careers education.”

“We are delighted that the Government’s investment is supporting us to roll out this model to a quarter of schools and colleges in the country, helping more young people get the vital support and opportunities they need.”

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) were invited to lead bids to establish Careers Hubs, with the applications judged on levels of need in an area and capacity to deliver. All bids were moderated by independent assessors.

The Black Country, Birmingham, Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire, Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire were awarded Careers Hubs in this second wave.

These areas join Leicester & Leicestershire, Stoke & Staffordshire, Worcestershire from the first wave, with the Black Country gaining a second Careers Hub.