Agenda item

Katren North and Jill Ellis from C&K Careers were welcomed to give a presentation on the Summer Holiday Internship.  It was noted that the two week internship was also commissioned by North and North East Council, which provided 180 placements for year 10 students across the areas.

The meeting noted the objectives of the scheme.  These included inspiring young people, providing them with the skills for work, whilst also aiming to reduce NEET figures for young people aged 18-24.  Members acknowledged that the work of the scheme was linked to the IKIC competencies.

It was noted that the target for numbers of students engaged in the South area was 60, and 41 were engaged by the end of July, 2015.  Of the 41, 38 students started the workshop delivery, with 33 completing all days.  37 students started the placement and 35 completed all days.

For many the work experience represented a significant commitment, with some students travelling up to 90 minutes to their placement.

Testimony given by the students emphasised the value of the scheme, how it had given them skills, highlighted options available to them, and made them aware of the working environment.

Feedback from employers was also extremely positive, as it also was from parents.

A celebration event had been held, where a number of young people spoke positively about the scheme, many of which had previously not had the confidence to do so.

Members discussed the scheme in some depth, and were interested to see the impact it may have in the longer term as students enter year 11 and take their GCSEs.  It was noted that many of the students were those suggested by schools who would most benefit from the scheme, rather than those who already had the requisite skills.

Members praised the success of the internship programme and hoped that this could provide the beginnings of an improved relationship with secondary schools in the area.

Given the success of the scheme, it was suggested that dialogue with colleagues in the People directorate should be entered into to discuss the possibility of extending the scheme throughout Barnsley.

RESOLVED that colleagues from C&K Careers be thanked for their presentation.