Middlesbrough College and Lingfield Education Trust have signed a memorandum of understanding to give primary school children across the region more opportunities to explore future careers.
The partnership will offer careers advice and experiences, introduce young people to the variety of jobs across the region, and help them understand options such as further education and apprenticeships.
It will also commit to linking the leadership teams together routinely to update each other on local context, and provide training and development opportunities for staff across the Trust’s schools.
The partnership will put this ambition into practice from primary school, with plans for Year 5 pupils from Lingfield schools to attend a careers event at Middlesbrough College, featuring local employers and opportunities to explore key sectors and careers across the Tees Valley.
Emma Watson, regional hub director, Lingfield Education Trust, said: “At Lingfield Trust we believe it is never too early to help children understand the opportunities available to them. By working with Middlesbrough College, we can broaden pupils’ horizons, raise aspirations and help them make meaningful connections between their education and future careers. We are excited to provide experiences that inspire ambition and show every child that there are many pathways to success.”
The agreement forms part of Middlesbrough College’s wider commitment to building strategic partnerships that create opportunities, develop skills and support economic growth across the Tees Valley.
Gary Potts, deputy principal / chief executive: skills and partnerships at Middlesbrough College, added: “Young people begin forming ideas about their futures long before they reach college, which is why it’s so important that we create those connections early. Through this partnership, we can help pupils see the link between what they learn at school, the opportunities available across further education and training, and the careers they could build.
“By combining Lingfield Education Trust’s reach across primary education with our links to employers and our understanding of the skills the region needs, we can give young people and their families greater insight into the choices and opportunities ahead of them. Ultimately, we want every young person to feel informed, inspired and confident about their future.”
