Around 30 employers across Warrington and Cheshire, ranging from Bentley to the NHS, are set to attend a work experience conference designed to ensure the region’s future workforce is on the road to success.
The event, organised by the Cheshire and Warrington Careers Hub, will take place at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School in Warrington on Thursday, 15 January.
Bringing together independent SMEs and large employers like Bentley Motors, NHS England and United Utilities, the event responds to new Department of Education statutory guidelines requiring schools to offer “meaningful employer-led” work experience opportunities.
Through talks and workshops, attendees will learn about providing interactive and inspiring work place experience to young people across Cheshire and Warrington.
Cheshire and Warrington Careers Hub works with schools, colleges, training providers and employers to help young people from all backgrounds benefit from quality careers education and work experience.
Officials will lead discussions on the business benefits of offering work experience and how to break down barriers to providing placements, including through school partnerships.
The day will also cover the Government’s Work Experience Guarantee scheme, which aims for every young person to receive 10 days of meaningful work experience during secondary education.
The conference will span sectors including pharma, construction, healthcare, engineering, finance, and life sciences.
Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Member of the Cheshire and Warrington Shadow Board responsible for Skills, Health and Inclusion, said: “Our trailblazing employers play a huge role in our collective ambition for Cheshire and Warrington to be the UK’s healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive, and fastest-growing region by 2045.
“Events like this will inspire and excite young people, provide meaningful work experience and build a skilled workforce that secures our region’s prosperity for decades.”
Davinder Lotay is Managing Director of Altimex Ltd, a business based in Chester, who are planning to attend. He added: “When young people experience the real world of work, it builds confidence, opens eyes and helps them see what’s possible. For employers, it’s a chance to inspire future talent and invest directly in our region’s future.
“Meaningful work experience benefits everyone — it gives young people clarity and confidence, while helping employers build the skilled workforce our region’s future depends on.”
The event comes weeks after the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority Shadow Board approved the Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Strategy (SIES), a blueprint to deliver the highest rate of economic and productivity growth in the north, slash carbon emissions by 4.5 million tonnes annually by 2030, and expand access to transport, digital infrastructure and quality housing while reducing poverty.
Cheshire and Warrington Careers Hub is funded by national careers education body The Careers and Enterprise Company, with additional support from Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington.
The event is delivered through The Pledge Partnership, which connects 90+ local schools and colleges with more than 500 regional businesses.
Businesses wishing to find more about how the Cheshire and Warrington Careers Hub could assist them can email careershub@cheshireandwarrington.com
