Wellington Place, in collaboration with social enterprise Ahead Partnership, is helping young people gain the skills, confidence and career insight needed for the future, as Leeds continues to see higher-than-average levels of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Recent data shows that Leeds has a 43% higher rate of 16 and 17-year-olds classed as NEET or ‘Not Known’ than the national average (8.3% compared with 5.8%*). To help address this challenge, Wellington Place recently welcomed 45 students in Year 10 from three Leeds schools to its annual Enrichment Festival, delivered in partnership with Ahead Partnership as part of the long-running Inspired programme.
Now in its eighth year, the two-day event brought together students from Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School, Roundhay School and Temple Moor High School for a series of interactive workshops designed to develop essential life and employability skills.
Sessions were delivered by volunteers from organisations located at Wellington Place including EY, Arup, Squire Patton Boggs, WSP and Buro Happold. Activities included workshops on topics ranging from financial freedom, wellbeing and lifestyle planning to office tours and networking sessions, giving students the opportunity to explore professional environments and connect directly with people working across a range of industries.
Sarah Limbert, Marketing Manager at Wellington Place, said: “Too many young people across Leeds are at risk of becoming disconnected from education, employment or training opportunities and, with the number of young people in the city continuing to grow, it’s more important than ever that we help them understand the opportunities available to them.
“While there is no single solution to this challenge, businesses can play an important role in raising awareness of opportunities, broadening horizons and opening doors. As a city centre business community, we’re in a unique position to connect students with professionals, workplaces and career paths they may not otherwise be exposed to. We’re incredibly proud to work alongside Ahead Partnership and our business community to give young people the confidence and inspiration to take their next steps.”
Megan Lipp, Commercial Director at Ahead Partnership, added: “Tackling NEET starts with businesses, educators and community partners working together, and the Enrichment Festival shows what that looks like in practice.
“At Ahead Partnership, we help employers show young people opportunities they might never have considered. At the festival, young people from across Leeds can explore new careers and see where their strengths might take them.
“We see the difference it makes every year. Young people leave more confident, clearer about their options and more certain that their future is worth investing in. Together, we can help prevent young people becoming NEET.”
The Enrichment Festival is one of several initiatives delivered by Wellington Place as part of their Inspired programme, a series of activates purposely designed to support young people in Leeds. Other activities include the Ecology Series, which promotes sustainable thinking and green skills among Key Stage 2 pupils, and Women of the Future, an event celebrating International Women’s Day and championing female ambition and leadership.
