Suella Braverman, MP for Fareham, visited Henry Cort Community College last week to see how local businesses are supporting schools and colleges to prepare young people for the world of work through modern careers education.
Suella talked to students about their ambitions, what they planned to do next, and how the college alongside local businesses were helping prepare them for life after their GCSEs.
She then took part in a career session designed by local businesses where students learnt about key workplace skills like adaptability and resilience. The session was led by local business volunteer Steve Higgins from BAE Systems and included two BAE apprentices discussing their journey and routes to industry.
During the visit Suella also met with college staff, local businesspeople and representatives from the Solent Careers Hub and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to discuss the innovative ways they’re working together to prepare students for the future.
The visit was arranged in partnership with The Careers & Enterprise Company and Solent Careers Hub which links schools and colleges with local businesses to support the development of world-class modern careers education.
Commenting, Suella said:
“I was highly impressed by the initiative of Henry Cort Community College in collaboration with the Careers and Enterprise Company and the Solent LEP. This vital drive to aid children with training and vocational skills will be invaluable to those benefiting from this. Through working closely with local employers at a young age, pupils will gain a far better insight into progressing their future through their essential training.
Despite many young students being undecided of what their future career maybe, this versatile program will prepare students for a multitude of options that will be of use to them immediately. My thanks to Henry Court for showcasing this inspiring project with myself, Councillor Birkett and Councillor Foot.”
Claudia Cubbage, Headteacher, Henry Cort Community College said:
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to showcase the incredible work of my team and all those who support us. I am intensely proud of the work that we do at Henry Cort Community College in preparing our students for what comes next. Whether that’s continuing with apprenticeships, technical and vocational training or traditional academic routes.
“By working with businesses and by linking our curriculum to the world of work, we’re able to broaden our students horizons, help them to understand and develop the skills they’ll need to thrive and inspire them to find the path and career that’s right for them.”
Business Director, and Chair of the Solent LEP Rachael Randall said:
"We aim to develop a world-class talent base, helping people at all stages of their career build the skills they need to respond to new technology and drive an innovative knowledge-based economy.
Our Careers Hub Team, in partnership with The Careers and Enterprise Company, work with schools and colleges across the Solent region, bridging the gap between academia and business to give young people an invaluable insight and understanding of the world of work and help businesses develop the future workforce that will support growth in our economy."
Sarah Yong, Head of External Affairs at the Careers and Enterprise Company, said:
“World-class careers education makes a difference. It helps young people make better choices about their next steps, it exposes them to careers they may never have known about and it opens up pathways and opportunities that weren’t there before.
“Providing high quality careers education involves bringing lots of organisations together in a focussed and co-ordinated way for young people - that’s what the Solent Careers Hub does. It’s amazing to see what can be achieved for young people when business, schools and colleges and local bodies work together with purpose.”
