A new education programme designed to tackle the skills gap and empower young people to be confident about joining the workforce has officially launched in Teesside.
Careers Navigator – which was launched at a special event in Middlesbrough – is a fun gamified learning scheme which has been designed to encourage lifelong learning, with a range of levels adapted for different ages from eight to retirement and relevant to learners whether they are at school, home-schooled, unemployed or employed.
The programme was created by Dr Kat Carruthers, an HCPC registered occupational therapist, and a team with lived experience of autism, ADHD, and physical disabilities, to tackle several key issues affecting children and young people and employers in the region e.g. preparing young people for jobs of the future and plugging skills gaps.
The programme was born from an evaluation of the Junior Journalism pilot project delivered by NetWORK NotWORK CIC – the organisation behind Careers Navigator – to 207 children across six schools and one community youth group in the Tees Valley.
The courses, which include SEND-friendly adaptations, have been divided into three: Ignite XP! for children and young people aged eight to 16; Ascend XP! for ages 16-24 and adults not in employment, education or training (NEET); and Orbit XP! for individuals aged 18+ in employment. Gamification is built into the concept with badges, collection of XP! points (XP! stands for work experience), and learners can continue onto accredited NCFE courses.
Careers Navigator was unveiled at AV Dawson The Staiths in Middlesbrough and attended by a range of education providers and businesses.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “I am passionate about ensuring our children and young people are encouraged, supported and empowered to succeed despite any barriers they may face, so to learn more about the concept and the details of a programme that will support all our young people – whatever their background or ability – was fantastic.
“It very much aligns with the Council’s 10 by 10 pilot project which we are currently trialling in five schools across Middlesbrough. By secondary school, young people are already on a chosen path, however, their experience of the variety of potential careers may be limited. We want to ensure that we can support our young people to succeed – and ultimately local employers can plug skills gaps and retain talent in the region – and the Careers Navigator programme aligns with our vision for the future.”
Andrea Naylor, business solutions manager at the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), gave a keynote speech at the event, and added: “Access to high-quality careers advice is a fundamental part of ensuring everyone can realise their potential.
“At TVCA, we are committed to making sure people of all ages and backgrounds can access the very best guidance, insight, and opportunities.”
The launch event showcased a demo of the programme and included a panel discussion with Michael Allen, managing director of JMA Contract Services; Vaina Lumbiwa, executive member of Taste of Africa North East; Winnie Howes, owner of FriendShared; and Michael Carruthers, multi-business owner and co-founder of NetWORK NotWORK CIC and Careers Navigator.
The event also unveiled the first edition of The NetWORKer Junior magazine, co-edited by Sarah Dale, of SASS media; and 11-year-old Alice Carruthers, one of the pioneers of the Junior Journalism project.
The event was sponsored by Events at AV Dawson The Staiths.