Schoolchildren in Dorset have been benefiting from employability days, where they were given careers advice.

Last month, All Saints School, Thomas Hardye School and Budmouth College hosted employability days organised by Young Enterprise, the UK’s leading enterprise education charity.

Volunteers from local businesses and organisations, including Bournemouth University, attended to offer pupils advice and support.

It comes as J. P. Morgan announced it will be supporting Young Enterprise in the form of a grant.

The JP Morgan Chase Foundation has provided a grant to help support the delivery of a new innovative two-year employability programme called ‘DASH’.

As part of DASH more than 1,800 students will undertake a 12-hour employability masterclass with many then taking up the opportunity of a local workplace visit or experience.

As a result of the programme students will be better prepared and make more informed decisions on their educational/career pathways, new relationships will be formed between schools and local employers, young people will have an increased awareness of STEM sector employment opportunities and apprenticeship offers promoted.

Gary Ford, Managing Director, J. P. Morgan, Bournemouth said: “JP Morgan firmly believes that all members of our local communities should have a chance to take part in and benefit from the wider economy. As the way that people work and the types of jobs available are ever-changing, now more than ever it’s crucial that young people, particularly those who may need more support, are able to make informed choices about their future career choices. We are proud to be supporting the DASH project and are keen to see the project have a positive impact on the lives of local young people.”

Michael Mercieca, Chief Executive Officer for Young Enterprise said: “We are grateful to J. P. Morgan for this funding which will directly enable young people to develop essential employability skills and mindset.”

, understand local employment opportunities and be inspired to improve their own prospects for sustainable employability in the 21st Century.”