Funding supports citywide FutureReady rollout

A Sunderland-wide careers education programme is set to strengthen links between schools and employers after securing more than £670,000 in funding.

FutureReady Sunderland has received £671,148 from the SHINE Sunderland education fund to deliver a five-year initiative connecting students aged 11–18 with local job opportunities. 

Led by St Aidan’s Catholic Academy in partnership with St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy, Castle View Enterprise Academy and Southmoor Academy, the scheme aims to embed structured workplace experiences into the curriculum.

Officials say the programme will focus on tackling barriers faced by disadvantaged and SEND learners, offering targeted support such as help with transport, workwear and placement preparation. 

Schools will work with employers to create an engagement pledge system, offering mentoring, industry insight sessions, workplace visits and placements.

From September 2026, activity will begin with the creative industries, aligning with Sunderland’s growing cultural and digital economy, before expanding into sectors including advanced manufacturing, offshore wind, digital and life sciences.

Emma Osmialowski, who is leading the project at St Aidan’s Catholic Academy, said: “We want to improve long term economic outcomes for Sunderland’s young people by exposing them to the North East’s priority sectors and foundation economy.

“Sunderland is undergoing an ambitious regeneration programme that we really want our young people to be part of by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in their own city and beyond.

“By building long-term partnerships between Sunderland’s secondary schools, and the wider city we can build a blueprint for a collaborative approach towards a city-wide modern work experience model that is consistent, scalable, and long term.”

Emma added: “We were absolutely thrilled to be awarded such a substantial and long-term investment to fund this project on a city-wide scale.

“The grant we have been awarded will be transformational in creating a model that supports each and every young person whilst also creating opportunities that would otherwise be limited.”

Backed by SHINE’s wider £11 million investment in secondary education across the city, the initiative aims to ensure every Sunderland secondary student gains meaningful exposure to the world of work.

Emma added: “SHINE Sunderland is one of the most ambitious long-term education programmes in the country, and it is incredible to be part of a ten-year partnership that is investing over £11 million directly into Sunderland’s secondary schools.

“SHINE’s commitment to truly understanding the city, the barriers our young people face, the opportunities they deserve, and the support schools need to help them succeed  aligns completely with the work we do every day in secondary schools, but now gives us the financial backing to bring projects like this to life at the scale our learners deserve.”

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