Drive to link businesses to teenage employability

AN organisation backed by Manchester-based economic think tank New Economy is appealing to the region’s businesses to help teenagers in school become “skilled and ready”.

Skilled and Ready, founded in Birmingham, has received £214,000 Greater Manchester City Deal.

The not-for-profit organisation specialises in providing an interface between the classroom and the world of work.

“Schools now have a statutory responsibility to get youngsters ready for employment and we see ourselves as part of that bigger programme,” said its programme director Jane Harris.

“So far we are involved in 32 schools across Greater Manchester, but our target is 50.”

The organisation was set up following complaints from employers that not enough young people leaving education were work ready.
 
Organisations which have already agreed to link in with the Skilled and Ready include Manchester Airport, Birmingham Airport, Asquith Nurseries, Designs for Education, HS2, the BBC School Report and midlands housing association Midlands Heart, Hays Recruitment and Forever Digital in Manchester.

“We want to identify businesses which would work with us to help resource the programme,” said Harris. “We are looking for companies both big and small.

“Our aim is to help careers education. It can be anything from techniques as an interviewee all the way through to employability.”