A NEW career guidance programme has launched in Dorset to help support young people.

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is working in partnership with Education Development Trust to deliver a new careers guidance programme funded via the Effective Transition Fund.

The Dorset Marvels programme will test approaches on how providing long-term targeted careers guidance in Key Stage 4 can enable students to transition to, and sustain, engagement in a high-quality post-16 destination.

Emerging evidence reveals that younger workers and those young people about to enter the labour market are among those most affected by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the labour market. There is a growing concern that these young people are falling out of the education, employment or training systems.

Education Development Trust’s careers advisers will deliver careers guidance, employability support and work-related learning via fortnightly interventions to around 130 young people, across ten schools in Dorset and BCP council areas. The programme will run from June 2022 whilst students are in Year 10, until February 2024, to ensure that each student is settled into their post 16 destination.

Mark De Backer, Deputy Director (Young People) Employability & Careers at Education Development Trust, commented: “The transition point from Year 11 to post 16 is a critical one, decisions made strongly influencing the career direction these young people will take. Good careers guidance, with regular review and support, has the power to help young people make informed choices and understand the changing labour market."

Rebecca Davies, Head of Enterprise, Skills and Industry, Dorset LEP, said: “This project will support young people across Dorset achieve positive outcomes with tailored interventions and professional careers advice and guidance on a consistent basis. With many young people coping with challenges in education, we aim to target those in need and offer intensive support that will raise aspirations and provide a stepping-stone for their future career.”

Education Development Trust are encouraging any employers based in Dorset, who could support students to experience the world of work, to contact the programme Relationship Manager, Wendy Phillips at dorsetmarvels@educationdevelopmenttrust.com or connect with Wendy via Linked In at https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-phillips-44015612b/