Minutes:
Members received a presentation from Joel Robinson and Katren North from C&K Careers on the Summer Holiday Internship programme.
An overview of the programme was provided to Members. It was noted that it was aimed at Year 10 students with a week within an employability programme, followed by a week of work experience.
Members noted that 100 placements with employers for South and other Area Councils had been sourced with many being local businesses. Following the week of work experience some students had been offered apprenticeships or part time work.
From the 2015 cohort from the South Area, it was noted that all those completing the programme reported positive changes, in areas such as self-confidence, and all had progressed on to positive destinations.
From the 2016 cohort, all had now progressed to Year 11 and had recently been interviewed. All students had made applications for college, 6th form or apprenticeships, and this was ahead of the majority of students. It was noted that all will continue to receive support from C&K Careers until late in 2017.
Members heard how parents of pupils taking part had also been very positive of the scheme.
The meeting discussed why numbers had been much below target, and heard of the complexities in working with both secondary schools in the South Area. It was noted that networks had been made in both schools, and it was hoped that this would help the engagement of students if the programme was repeated.
Members heard of the celebration event held centrally, which was requested by students as they made friends with their counterparts in North and North East Areas. It was suggested that this showed that the students had built resilience, useful in their future learning and careers.
C&K Careers were thanked for their presentation, and the impact of the scheme in the South Area.
Members briefly discussed whether the Area Council would run a similar scheme in 2017. I was agreed to discuss this in more detail in the future taking account of finance remaining and the Area Council priorities.
RESOLVED that thanks be given to C&K Careers for their presentation.