Member Article

New Venture Opens Doors to Training and Employment

The Living Well Trust and Groundwork North East are joining forces to launch an innovative project to help improve the employment prospects of young people in Cumbria.

The two organisations are the driving force behind a new social enterprise partnership that is designed to give young people the opportunity to gain practical work experience and new skills.

Groundwork North East and Living Well were galvanised to take action because about 20 percent (9,000) 16-24 year olds in Cumbria are not in education, training or employment (NEET).

Geoff Baxter OBE, Chief Executive, Living Well Trust, said: “Partnership is essential in all walks of life, but none more so in efforts to support vulnerable young people.

“I believe that this partnership will have a long term impact on the lives of individuals, on the local economy and the future leaders of Cumbrian enterprise.”

Kate Culverhouse, Groundwork North East Managing Director, said: “Being out of work is a personal tragedy for those who experience it and being unemployed for a considerable time can adversely affect a person’s self-esteem.

“There is both an emotional and economic cost* to young people being out of work when if they were supported and nurtured to fulfil their potential they would be empowered to make a significant contribution to the area both economically and practically.

“This partnership with the Living Well Trust will help build people’s confidence, equip them with skills to enhance their employability and improve their prospects of finding work.

“The aim of the Galvanise project is to furnish young people with the knowledge, self-assurance and skills to make them an asset to a range of businesses.”

Galvanise will help equip young people with practical skills and qualifications in disciplines including painting and decorating, green space development and catering through apprenticeships, training and work placements,

On top of helping young people into full time employment, another of Galvanise’s core aims will be to help people launch sustainable businesses.

Mr Baxter added: “Every young person needs the opportunity to earn a living and gain self-respect and a sense of purpose through a regular job. As these young people find new skills, structure and purpose, lives will be rebuilt, jobs will be generated, and new businesses will be created.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .