SOUTH YORKSHIRE EDUCATION PROVIDERS AND EMPLOYERS CELEBRATED AT INAUGURAL LEADING THE WAY AWARDS

Published 13 July 2023 at 11:00am

The importance of the support that young people in South Yorkshire receive around Careers Education has been highlighted at the first-ever Leading the Way Awards, organised by South Yorkshire Careers Hub, which took place yesterday at AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham. 

The South Yorkshire Careers Hub, supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), works in partnership with the Careers and Enterprise Company and the four Local Authorities; Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, to connect with schools, colleges, training providers, employers and other partners in a meaningful way that helps support young people in the next steps in their educational journey and longer-term career aspirations.

Currently working with 110 educational providers across the region, the Careers Hub has already seen an 11% improvement in education providers achieving Gatsby Benchmarks, which are used to measure the success of careers education, this academic year, which has also seen the Careers Hub engage:

• 92 Enterprise Advisors who work in schools across our region to improve the employability of young people
• 11 Cornerstone Employers who work with the South Yorkshire Careers Hub at a strategic level to shape careers education
• 113 Careers Leaders who work in education providers across the region to support and deliver successful Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG).

Oli de Botton, CEO of the Careers and Enterprise Company, attended the event and was joined by South Yorkshire Careers Hubs Strategic Lead, Keir Birch, at the event where 32 awards were presented across seven categories:

• Continuous Improvement in a School/College
•  Creativity and Innovation
• Meaningful Encounters
• Most Committed/Most Engaged Partner
• Partnership Working
•  Most Innovative Provision
• Most Visionary Careers Programme

A Special Acknowledgement was also presented to Jeanette Brooke, from Sir Thomas Wharton Academy, Doncaster, who is retiring this year and has been instrumental in championing careers education throughout her career.

Oli de Botton, CEO of the Careers and Enterprise Company, said: “Careers Hubs like South Yorkshire, together with local partners, are playing a pivotal part in delivering for young people in their communities. The evidence of impact narrated in this report is testament to their hard work.

“The work of the South Yorkshire Careers Hub along with other Careers Hubs across the country is making a real difference. As highlighted in our recent Ready for the Future report, 74% of Year 13 students now say they are career ready, up from 45% in Year 7.”

Keir Birch, SYMCA's Strategic Lead at South Yorkshire Careers Hub, added: “This year, I have been astonished by not only what opportunities are on offer in South Yorkshire, but also the passion, determination, and commitment from our Enterprise Coordinators, Careers Leaders, Enterprise advisors, Cornerstone, and other partners and volunteers in ensuring these chances reach the young people who need it the most.

“These awards are an acknowledgment of this commitment, which celebrates and shines the spotlight on the excellent practise taking place and celebrates the successes of each of our award winners for the outstanding and remarkable differences they are making every day.”

Laura Ibbotson, Head of HR UK at Heras, received an award for the creativity and innovation she has brought to her role as an Enterprise Advisor, working strategically with Outwood Adwick Academy in Doncaster. Laura said: “It’s a privilege to accept the award on behalf of Heras, and the team that has contributed to the partnership with Outwood Adwick Academy.

“The number one objective was to make a positive impact on the lives and future career aspirations of young people - and the Heras team has been commended for actively engaging in a series of activities, such as; employees holding mock interviews, hosting sessions on creating CVs, hosting careers fairs and providing the inside track on all the different roles within a business. In particular, highlighting routes to industry for women – to give students an invaluable head-start on their career pathways.

“The Academy’s Associate Assistant Principal, Matthew Longden, should also be commended as he has championed the drive to help build and sustain the educational partnership.”

For more information about South Yorkshire Careers Hub visit this link.

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About Careers Hubs

Careers Hubs are a central part of the Government’s Careers Strategy and aim to support all secondary schools and Further Education providers to implement high-quality careers guidance to help young people make more informed decisions around their future choices.

Full list of Leading the Way Award Winners 2022/23:

Continuous Improvement in a School/College
•    Nick Green, Helen Blakeman and Gaynor Want from Penistone Grammar School in Barnsley
•    Daniel Whaley from The Laurel Academy in Doncaster
•    Kathryn Boyle from The Elements Academy in Rotherham
•    Doug Neal from Chapeltown Academy in Sheffield

Creativity and Innovation
•    John North from Barnsley Council, Supported Employment and Volunteering Service
•    Laura Ibbotson from Heras
•    Samantha Gaunt from SBD Apparel Ltd
•    Emma Pickering from Amey

Meaningful Encounters
•    Catherine Carruthers & Holly Mills from Astrea Academy Dearne in Barnsley
•    Johnathan da Rosa from Wortley Hall in Barnsley
•    Michelle Charters from Ridgewood School in Doncaster
•    Sajid Slee-Karim from Screwfix
•    Nicky Laite from Wath Academy in Rotherham
•    Diane Keay from Mears Group PLC
•    Edward Cramphorn from Sheffield Springs Academy in Sheffield
•    Paul Simpson from Food Circle Supermarket

Most Committed/Most Engaged Partner
•    Megan Roberts from Esh Group
•    Layla Young from Genuit Group PLC
•    Jill Kay from ASD Lighting PLC
•    Steve Gibson from Sheffield City Trust

Partnership Working
•    Gavin Day, Amber Richardson and Amy Butler from Masonite
•    Craig Barsby from Hitachi Rail
•    Adam Bradley from Corrosion Resistant Materials Ltd
•    Heather Chapman from The Web Word

Most Innovative Provision
•    David Fallis and Gill Wrest from Greenacre School in Barnsley
•    Carl Cousins from Pennine View School in Doncaster
•    Maxine Hughes from Rotherham Aspire
•    Erika Mariella-Worrall from Sheaf Training in Sheffield

Most Visionary Careers Programme
•    Nikki Waite from Trinity Academy St. Edwards in Barnsley
•    Michelle Agate and Tracy Keith from UTC Doncaster
•    Vanessa Gregory and Jo Sorby from Wingfield Academy in Rotherham
•    Adele Hetherington from Holgate Meadows Community School in Sheffield

Special Acknowledgement
•    Jeanette Brooke from Sir Thomas Wharton Academy

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About South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority - Education, Skills and Employability

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has set its sights on being a region that provides inclusive growth and opportunities for all, enabling individuals and employers to reach their potential, drive productivity and contribute to our economic success.
We want to deliver a step change in our labour market that builds on the progress of recent years to create jobs and opportunities in every part of the region. This includes helping those who have been long term unemployed or who have low work aspirations to be able to easily access high quality training.  We will also focus on increasing levels of technical training and ensuring that we have the right type of businesses accessing higher-level skills that will drive improvements in overall prosperity and opportunity.
Our role is to enable businesses to survive, adapt and thrive and be more innovative and resilient following the pandemic and resulting economic downturn. To raise quality of life, reducing inequality, and widening opportunity for residents. To equip people to contribute to and benefit from economic prosperity and to support people to improve their skills, get back to work, remain in or progress in work, or set up in business and thereby accelerate social mobility.

Press enquiries:
Email: press.enquiries@southyorkshire-CA.gov.uk
Telephone: 0114 220 3465