A.F. Blakemore has launched a brand new community programme to inspire, engage and motivate young people into the world of work.
The Blakemore Branching Out programme will support young people across five key interventions, enabling them to gain the necessary skills to enter employment successfully, provide insight into the world of work and ultimately help reduce youth unemployment.
A.F. Blakemore employees will work with schools across its trading area to offer a more strategic approach to employability which will include reading support, workplace insights, employability workshops, career support and work experience.
Around 60% of young people are leaving school without the necessary skills to enter the world of work. In addition the City and Guilds Group published that by 2020 there is going to be a shortage of 40,000 skilled jobs within the UK, many of those skills are required at A.F. Blakemore.
A.F. Blakemore have had strong links with schools for more than 10 years and in that time the volunteering programme has grown significantly and been nationally recognised with Business in the Community Responsible Business Awards.
By 2020 the Blakemore Branching Out programme aims to deliver 1,200 events involving 2,000 employees, inspiring 13,500 young people into the world of work and recruiting 50 people into the business as a result of engaging in the programme.
Community Affairs Officer Liz Bell commented: “We have spent many years working with schools but I believe Branching Out will bridge the gap between education and employment.
“Branching Out is going to allow young people to grow and flourish. The young people of today will be our leaders of tomorrow, and it is our job to inspire them to work for our business.”
A.F. BLAKEMORE & SON LTD
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