PRESS RELEASE
A Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funded project to help school leavers fulfil their work potential is being used as an example of excellence by the European Commission.
The Cornwall Education Business Partnership (CEBP), organised and run by the LSC, has been featured in a short film to show how the European Social Fund is being used to great effect.
The film features Liam Chin, studying for a qualification in childcare as part of his apprenticeship with Falmouth childcare provider, Fit n Fun Kids, and Simone Palmer, training to be a car mechanic on Redruth’s Cardew Industrial Estate.
Project Administrator for the LSC, Carrie Bignell, explained that CEBP is an initiative currently running throughout Cornwall funded through the European Social Fund.
The project targets youngsters at risk of leaving school without any prospects or those who are unsure of their next step. Project managers go into schools holding group discussions, as well as working on a one to one basis with specific students, creating action plans that will help young people realise their potential.
Liam and Simone were particularly interesting to the EU on several levels. They are both working towards professions not normally associated with their sex and they are perfect examples of how ESF money can be used effectively and well.
“This project broadens opportunities for post 16 learners through increased collaboration between schools and training providers,” explained Carrie Bignell.
“The project targets learners at risk of dropping out and not realising their full potential. It enables learners to undertake vocational pathways or, where appropriate, a combination of vocational and academic learning.
“I am delighted it is working so well and that its value has been recognised by the European Commission. It was quite an experimental project when we started but to be used as an example of best practise is a real accolade.”
The CEBP project has already helped hundreds of youngsters in Cornwall and is expected to help many more achieve relatively great things in their future careers.
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NOTES TO EDITORS: THE LSC exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We are responsible for ensuring the availability of high quality education and training for everyone. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England’s young people and adults to world class standards. Our vision is that young people and adults in England have knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a truly competitive workforce. We work nationally, regionally and locally to deliver this ambition on behalf of learners and employers
