Dorset Careers Hub, the first of its kind to be established in the region, launched on the 8th of November thanks to Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (Dorset LEP), The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC), BCP Council and Dorset Council.
The launch took place at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy and was attended by over 85 delegates representing education and employment across Dorset. In September 2018, CEC established 20 Careers Hubs across England. So far, the initiative has been a success as schools and colleges within this first wave are already outperforming the national averages for careers education.
Dorset Careers Hub comes as part of a second wave of Careers Hubs this academic year, backed by a £2.5 million CEC investment.
Dorset LEP, who manage The Careers & Enterprise Company programme in Dorset, are now proud to launch Dorset Careers Hub which will encourage best career education practice locally, building upon the successful work to date.
Lorna Carver, Director of Dorset LEP, says: “Good careers education is fundamental to ensure young people are equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills to navigate their future, make the best of their talents and achieve their full potential. The Dorset Careers Hub will bring together schools, colleges, universities and employers to work together to prepare our future workforce for careers filled with satisfaction.”
Dorset schools and colleges will have access to support and funding, including staff to help coordinate activity and build networks, a central fund to support employer engagement activities, and training for Careers Leaders in schools and colleges.
Dorset Careers Hub Lead, Helen Stevenson, says: “Our hub is made up of 40 local schools and colleges split into geographical clusters. Our aim is to support Careers Leaders to form communities of practice, share examples of excellence and collaborate to ensure greater consistency and depth in the quality of careers education.”
The Careers Hub model is already showing success. Schools and colleges included in the first wave of Hubs are outperforming the national average on every single one of the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of good careers guidance. 58% are providing every student with regular encounters with employers; 52% are also providing every student with workplace experiences such as work experience, shadowing or workplace visits.
Claudia Harris, CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “Careers education is improving across the country. The accelerated progress we’re seeing from the 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 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.”