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North East Initiative Praised in National Report

A pioneering North East initiative is being held up as an example of best practice for schools and councils across the UK.

Work Discovery Week, the brainchild of Sunderland’s Economic Masterplan – Business:Schools Task Group, has been praised in a new report by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE).

The report, which has been produced to showcase the work being done by councils across the UK to improve the educational achievement of children and young people, will be circulated nationwide.

In it the Business: Schools Task Group is praised for its work to develop and enhance engagement activity for schools and businesses across Sunderland, with its pioneering Work Discovery Week initiative being highlighted as a way of forging links between students and employers and giving young people a taste of the working world.

Cllr Watson, Leader Sunderland City Council, said: “It’s great to see the work of the Economic Masterplan – Business:Schools Task Group being recognised in this way and I hope Work Discovery Week in particular will prove a source of inspiration for organisations across the UK.”

Work Discovery Week Sunderland 2013, which runs from July 1 to July 5, will include a range of fun and interactive activities for young people, with business people from across the city leading a series of workshops and discussion groups on topics such as interview preparation, application processes and procedures, problem-solving and communication.

Other highlights in the five day event include a careers fair at the Stadium of Light, a city bus tour highlighting Sunderland’s business areas and a special exhibition at The Bridges Shopping Centre.

The initiative is already being backed by a host of top businesses, including Arriva North East, Nissan, Grundfos, Gentoo, Sunderland University, Sunderland College and the National Apprenticeship Service, who have signed on as headline sponsors.

Gary Hutchinson, Commercial Director of Sunderland AFC and co-chair of the Business: Schools Task Group is quoted in the new LGA and Solace report saying: “Work Discovery Week-Sunderland 2013 will provide a superb opportunity for businesses to showcase their industry sector, the products they make and/or the services they deliver to the young people who could be the employees of the future.

“Individual schools across the city have established relationships with a number of businesses over the years and it is our hope that this event will help those existing relationships to flourish and forge new ones.”

More details about Work Discovery Week visit www.safc.com/hospitality-and-events/forthcoming-events/work-discovery-week-2013 or follow @WDWSunderland Twitter.

A number of sponsorship opportunities are also available for the initiative, please contact Sorted PR on 0191 265 6111 or email bernice@sortedpr.com for a sponsorship pack.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sorted PR .