Five new events for young people aged 14 to 19 will soon be taking place across Leeds. Whether they are about to leave school or are currently unemployed – Progressions 2010 is a fantastic opportunity for young people to meet local colleges, training providers and employers to talk about future jobs and training.  Connexions personal advisers will be on hand throughout the day to help and guide on what to do next.

The exciting events will enable young people and adults to find out more from a wide range of employers, colleges, training bodies and advice organisations. The events are being held at the different locations below, so that the young people do not have to travel into the centre.

Aimed at Year 11 leavers and their parents, as well as 16 to 19 year old school leavers, there will be colleges, apprenticeship/training providers and employers attending to run a stand and talk to young people and their parents about what they are offering including apprenticeships and specific courses all with a September start date. There will also be places with local training providers, with opportunities to start within two or three weeks, and details of summer school and flexible start courses.  All this, in addition to other, current employment opportunities.

Connexions information, advice and guidance services for 13 to 19-year-olds in Leeds are delivered by Prospects, one of the UK’s leading providers of education, training and guidance services. Terry Walsh, Director for Prospect’s Connexions services in Leeds said;
“ These interactive events are aimed at young people aged 14-19, each event will seek to inspire, inform and educate young people and their parents, carers and teachers, about the options available to them.

This is the first time we have run a series of five local events rather than just one central exhibition.  We really want to see as many young people as possible attend.  There are high quality training and employment opportunities out there for school leavers and the message we want to get out is to apply early. We are trying to ensure that the recession does not mean unemployment   by making sure young people have the best possible guidance and advice.”

Already 25-30 colleges, training providers and employers have confirmed attendance. All parents of Year 11s will be receiving a letter asking them to encourage their son/daughter to attend and Connexions will also sending letters direct to unemployed 16 to 18 year olds.  All schools have been approached to ask them if they want to bring parties of students.

Young people in Yorkshire are already supported by Connexions services run by Prospects in Barnsley and Rotherham.  Bradford also appointed Prospects to run their Connexions service in December. The company has more than a decade of experience in delivering services to 13 to 19-year-olds (13-25 for those with learning difficulties and disabilities) in over 20 areas all around the country.

Prospects offers a wide range of education, guidance, training and employment services – extending from Barrow to Brighton and the West Country to Norfolk. The company is already well established in Yorkshire; it has delivered adult information, advice and guidance (IAG) services in Sheffield since 2004 and is one of the partner companies in Careers Yorkshire and the Humber, the prime contractor for nextstep, the adult information, advice and guidance service, in the region.

For further information about the events please contact; Simon Hewitson on 0113 226 2180. The Connexions Centre can be found at 1 Eastgate, Leeds LS2 7LY