Over 800 employers have signed up to the Island Careers Partnership to support young Islanders to gain the necessary skills, experience, and entry into employment.
Established in April 2019 by Richard White from the Island Studio School and CECAMM, with the support of the Island Futures Team at the Isle of Wight Council and Sovereign Housing, the ICP was designed to build links between education and business to create better skills, build career aspirations from an early age and help guide young people into the world of work.
Now just two years later, and despite the challenges of the pandemic, the ICP has signed up over 800 businesses, willing to help inspire and share their experiences of the workplace and highlight skills shortages on the Island.
Working alongside career leaders and advisors based in education on the Island, the partnership has been able to develop links to virtual work experience, virtual interviews as well as opportunities to visit both Island employers and some of the top 100 companies in the UK.
It has also established an active ICP Facebook page which is now reaching over 8,000 people across the community and supporting young islanders and their families in their quest for high value, up-to-date careers knowledge, opportunities for networking sessions and vacancies from linked ICP employers.
The group has recently applied for charitable status which will allow it to offer long term support to education and employers.
Senad Adams, Employment Engagement Coordinator from the ICP said: “We would like to thank and congratulate everyone who has contributed and supported this new platform linking businesses and education and especially Sovereign Housing and the Isle of Wight Council for their financial and business support.
“We have already started to achieve so much by working collaboratively even in such a challenging period and, as students start to return to school and college, we hope to increase the opportunities available to them to attend more careers events and access the advice and support they need.
“We’re also keen to see even more businesses join us, whether large or small, start-ups or multi-national corporations. There is no cost to getting involved and no predetermined requirements, even one-two hours of employer input can make a big difference to the future career and life choices of our young people.”
Wayne Matthews, Divisional Director of Yokogawa Marex, one of the most recent businesses to join the Partnership said: “As an Island company, operating in an innovative, high-tech arena in multiple countries across the globe, we are keen to help young people on the Island to see the exciting career choices and opportunities right here on their doorstep. We believe the links between business and education are vital to help build skills and aspirations and we’re delighted to be a part of the partnership and to support its aims and objectives.”
The next virtual online conference meeting will be held on Tuesday April 20th (3:30-5.00pm) and any new employers wishing to participate or to find out more about the ICP are asked to contact info@islandcareerspartnership.co.uk
