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26th February 2024 Spotlight on... place-based initiatives

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Mentors and students work together locally to develop skills and confidence

Social mobility continues to fall – and moving up is harder if you grow up in the North or Midlands.

Middlesbrough is one of the most deprived local authorities in the UK. Projected skills sector gaps across the Tees Valley, such as digital, low carbon and traditional service and manufacturing sectors highlighted a need to support young people to prepare for opportunities available in the region over the next decade.

Through support and funding from M&G plc and working collaboratively with Middlesbrough Council in inspirational locations, in 2022-23 we supported 40 young people (14-15 years old) to raise their aspirations and improve their engagement with education.

All students were facing challenges outside of their control, and included care-experienced young people and children with a social worker.

Skills for Life Middlesbrough also supported young people to build professional networks, seek expert advice and guidance from industry role models, and raised awareness of how to transition from school to meaningful employment.

Over the course of the programme, young people were supported by our facilitators and local and national employers.

It has given me confidence and made me realise that I am capable of big things if I put myself out there.

The programme benefitted from overwhelmingly positive local stakeholder engagement, and as a result, developed a true ‘Middlesbrough First’ identity. 56 volunteers from across Middlesbrough and further afield supported Skills for Life, and we thank the NHS, Story Contracting, Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade, M&G plc, Teesside International Airport and Northumbrian Water for their engagement.

The course was impeccably presented, with great content, dialogue and flow. Fantastic! Really had a great time chatting and inspiring some amazing young people. What stood out was their development from my first session to the final one. Their confidence and passion for future employment just grew and grew.

You can read more about our impact in 2022-2023 by downloading our Annual Report. Or visit our Programme pages to book a Lightbulb Moment experience.