Cumbria Community Foundation Leads Initiative to Boost Educational and Employment Opportunities for Young People in Furness
On Thursday 29 February, 2024, Cumbria Community Foundation announced its leadership in a new initiative aimed at improving exam performance and job prospects for young people in the Furness area. According to recent research conducted by the Foundation, one-in-four of Furness’ working-age population lacks formal qualifications, while one-in-10 young people are currently unemployed.
The Foundation’s findings suggest that the key to changing this concerning trend is to engage young people in extracurricular and enrichment activities that motivate and inspire them. In order to address this issue, the Foundation has commissioned a report to identify barriers to participation and make recommendations that will influence decision makers in national and local government, as well as potential donors, businesses, and third-sector organizations.
Thanks to funding from Cumbria Community Foundation, BAE Systems, and Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the report is currently underway. David Beeby, Chair of Cumbria Community Foundation, explains, “We know that, in general, students who take part in extracurricular activities achieve greater academic success, develop better character and social skills, and show a greater interest in community involvement. All of these factors ultimately improve their job prospects.”
Beeby continues, “What we’re talking about here is informal learning, where students have the opportunity to explore their interests outside of the traditional classroom setting. We are seeking experts to assess current approaches, consult with stakeholders, explore best practices, and provide recommendations for a more effective, efficient, and impactful delivery of these extracurricular activities across Low and High Furness.”
The Foundation has allocated a budget of £35,000, including VAT, for the report, which is expected to be released by the end of June. Interested parties can view the full brief at: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FES-invitation-to-tender-15.02.24.pdf. Submissions for the project must be received by 10am on Monday, March 18.
Janet Garner, Future Workforce Director at BAE Systems, expressed her support for the initiative, stating, “We are aware that there are a multitude of extra-curricular activities currently available in the local area, with many organizations working diligently to support young people in achieving their full potential. We fully endorse the aims of this research project, as it will allow us to better understand how we can make our collective efforts more effective in supporting the needs and aspirations of young people, as well as the needs of the local economy.”
This initiative follows the release of a 2021 report from the Foundation, titled “Furness Opportunities and Challenges,” which highlighted the difficulties faced by the Furness area. In response, the Foundation organized a Skills Summit that brought together education providers, employment support agencies, businesses, and third-sector organizations to identify the need for a more comprehensive approach to extracurricular provision.
Press release distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
