Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has awarded a £1000 Activation Fund to over 30 schools across the county to support the development of their careers education programmes.
The funding has been awarded via the successful Dorset Careers Hub, which is being led by Dorset LEP in partnership with BCP Council and Dorset Council, and brings employers, schools and colleges together to transform careers education.
Each of the schools, who recently joined Dorset Careers Hub, submitted proposals of their intentions for the funds, with many producing creative ideas aiming to support their students and ensure they receive quality careers education even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
14 of the schools will invest the funding in much needed IT equipment to enable pupils to access careers resources online. Other schools will invest in online careers platforms or developing their in-school careers area resources. The special educational needs schools have identified specialist access equipment to enable their pupils to access enterprise resources and experience the world of work.
Rebecca Davies, Head of Enterprise, Skills and Industry at Dorset LEP said: “We are delighted to have been able to secure this funding via the Careers and Enterprise Company to be able to further support schools in their careers provision. We received some really creative briefs and are pleased to see the money going towards new innovative resources that will help to make information more accessible and engaging for pupils about to explore their future career options.”
Greg West and Martin Pressling, Heads of Year and Careers Coordinators at Lockyer’s Middle School said: “As a middle school, we have been pleased with our development towards the Gatsby Benchmarks so far. However, we are very keen to extend the provision through the integration of an online careers learning platform, like Skillsbuilder.org. We envisage this becoming the primary engagement tool for all careers lessons in our Key Stage 3 classes and that children will be given the opportunity to further develop their understanding through access to a specific area within the school’s existing library.”
Rob Sallows, Assistant Headteacher at Beaucroft Foundation School said: “We applied for the funds to purchase inclusive technology equipment to enable SEND pupils to set up and run enterprise initiatives within the school. This includes specialised switch technology to enable access for lower ability pupils to use household appliances such as a popcorn maker and ice cream maker for enterprise initiatives. This equipment is vital to enable students with a range of special educational needs to gain experience using catering equipment. This forms part of the careers plan for the school and allows pupils to develop their independence, team working, problem solving and negotiation, and communication skills.”
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Notes to Editors
Dorset LEP
Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership is a business led private and public sector partnership, promoting local economic growth and prosperity. Dorset LEP deliver projects that support and develop infrastructure, housing, skills, enterprise and business growth to achieve long-term economic benefit for all in Dorset.
For more information visit the Dorset LEP website http://www.dorsetlep.co.uk/
Dorset Careers Hub
Dorset Careers Hub is rolling out the national Careers and Enterprise Company programme. It is led by Dorset LEP, in partnership with BCP Council and Dorset Council. Dorset Careers Hub shapes the future talent available to the Dorset economy by promoting growth industries and accurate economic information to schools and colleges, and by giving young people the opportunity to engage in meaningful ways with the wide variety of exciting business and career pathways available to them in the county.
For more information visit the Dorset Careers Hub webpage https://www.dorsetlep.co.uk/careers-hub
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