Business leaders from Derby gathered at Pride Park stadium for Derby Promise’s first Employer Summit.
Employers representing Derby’s key sectors, including education, construction, engineering, sport, and leisure, were encouraged to explore ways to connect with and create opportunities for the city’s young people.
By bringing them closer to education, employment, and training, these connections help create a city that fosters economic growth.
Supporting youth employment by raising aspirations and providing opportunities is at the heart of Derby City Council’s Derby Promise. The programme, now in its third year, offers a full careers and enrichment programme through a wide range of events, resources for schools, employment and skills opportunities and industry-led projects within school settings.
Some of the employers already working with the Derby Promise, including Rolls Royce, Derby County Football Club, and Severn Trent, as well as many others, spoke passionately about the way that creating employment opportunities for young people had sent a ripple effect of benefits into their wider business community.
They shared examples of young people who joined their apprenticeship and supported internship programmes, flourishing in their roles and going on to secure permanent employment. In one instance, a young learner who began as a supported intern went on to provide company-wide training around inclusivity and neurodiversity in the workplace.
At the recent Derby Promise Roots Youth Summit, young people were asked what opportunities would make the most difference to their future, and what they’d like local employers to understand about them and their aspirations.
Their feedback was translated into colourful illustrations which were presented at the Summit, with employers asked to respond with pledges of action. These ranged from improving access and understanding around young people with SEND, to providing more sports-related career opportunities and pathways to digital careers.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills said:
There’s a shared drive to broaden horizons for Derby’s young people, encouraging them to pursue skills and employment that will enable them truly to thrive.
There’s also an awareness that not all children grow up with the same opportunities and support; we want to - and will - go that bit further to ensure no young person is left behind or misses out on the chance of a rewarding future.
To learn more about the Derby Promise, the opportunities and resources it provides, or how your business could get involved with providing work-related experiences, head to the Derby Promise website.