New project for young people needs help from local businesses

LEIGH Park Community Centre is hosting a new employment guidance and skills project in 2023 for 14- to 16-year-olds, and they are on the look-out for groups, clubs or professionals that can help support young people in deciding a career path, help develop a new skill, or perhaps even offer an apprenticeship. 

The project will begin next year and will take place on the last Friday of each month from 5.30pm to 9pm. A free simple meal and light refreshments, such as pizza and salad, burger, hot dog etc will be provided to all those participating. 

Organisers say, “In a nutshell, the idea is to run 11 x 3.5-hour sessions, once a month with club, trades or a professional workshop. A 12th session would be for all the participants’ evaluation, and setting the guidance for the following year’s work, as well as producing a report to the funder.   

“Each session includes a chat with the on-hand professional who will field questions from young people about that trade or profession, and perhaps sessions will include tuition, researching career paths or developing a new skill or technique. Who knows it could even lead to a new club being formed (i.e., photography or woodwork club). 

“At the end of the year, participants will have had the opportunity to attend 11 hands-on sessions and research dozens of apprenticeship and careers opportunities, or learned a new skill. In addition, they may have been placed in business or places of work where they can see first-hand how things work and ask more questions. 

“This project will help young people choose a career that suits them, rather than have to accept second best, thus more knowledge, more choices, with better prospects. It will show the importance of ‘supporting young people’ in our community and by joining us, will help with cohesion, volunteering and cooperation.” 

The sessions will be aimed towards those aged 14 to 16 as they are the group moving towards making subject and career choices, or maybe they would just like to learn a new skill.  

If you are interested in providing a workshop session or require further information, then please contact Debbie Cole, centre manager by calling 01373 825774 or emailing office@lpccwestbury.org.uk