New Careers Hub for the whole of Surrey set to launch

A new Careers Hub is set to inspire and prepare young people across the whole county for the world of work.

The Careers Hub, a single service covering all of Surrey, will work with all the county’s secondary schools, special schools and colleges with the aim of ensuring every young person can find their best next step.

A team of dedicated Enterprise Coordinators will offer expert support to education providers in promoting possible employment options to the county’s future workforce. This includes apprenticeships, degree courses and careers in growing and emerging sectors, such as green, cyber security and creative industries.

The Careers Hub will also work closely with employers in all sectors across the county, developing encounters with businesses and workplace experiences which will improve employment outcomes for young people.

The new Surrey-wide service went live last month (September) and brings together two separate Careers Hub services which have been operating independently within the county. Schools and colleges in East Surrey have been supported by Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) since 2015 while Enterprise M3 LEP ran the service in West Surrey.

The new service will build on these solid foundations and officially be launched at the Council’s Festival of Skills on November 23^rd at Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher.

Cllr Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth said: “The launch of the Surrey Careers Hub is hugely important and, over time, I’m sure it will bring huge benefits to our young people, education providers and local businesses. It is, in fact, integral to the Council’s mission to ensure that No One is Left Behind whilst also ensuring that we support our economy by enabling the workforce of the future.

“For several years now, we have seen a gradual rise in the percentage of young people who are not in education, employment or training across Surrey. One of the ways we can bring this down is by providing more inspirational opportunities for the county’s future workforce to connect with employers.

“In addition, a single Surrey Careers Hub operating from within the Council will allow us to strategically link it to our existing work in economic development, skills and health. The aim is to sustainably grow Surrey’s economy in a way that benefits everyone.”

The Surrey Careers Hub is a partnership with the Department for Education-funded The Careers & Enterprise Company and Surrey County Council.

Careers Hubs operate across England and drive progress against the Gatsby Benchmarks by enabling schools and colleges and their Careers Leaders to access training and support.

It will be supported by a steering group and a Cornerstone Employer group of key stakeholders including representatives of Surrey’s key businesses and sectors.

Those looking to engage with the Surrey Careers Hub, including how their business can support hub activity, can email Careers.Hub@surreycc.gov.uk

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