Progress Careers launches new programme aimed at hidden NEETS
A groundbreaking new programme is being launched in Sheffield by Progress Careers, a subsidiary of education and training specialists, The Progress Group. The initiative, which is funded by Sheffield City Council, forms part of Opportunity Sheffield’s programme of employment support activity, Pathways to Work.
The programme, entitled Bridges, will support 16–25-year-olds who are economically inactive or not in education, employment or training (NEETs), with an emphasis on those who are not engaging with any support service at all so are effectively hidden from the system.
Hidden NEETs can face significant challenges, including increased risk of social exclusion and mental health problems. Research by Sheffield Hallam University suggests that hidden NEETs may face barriers like feeling disconnected from formal support systems, having a lack of confidence in their skills and abilities, or lacking the skills and qualifications needed for employment.
Such barriers are exactly what Bridges aims to break down. By offering a connection to new skills, opportunities and qualifications via the support of a dedicated Work and Wellbeing Coach, the five-step programme will provide personalised guidance for an individual, helping them to overcome barriers. The ultimate goal is to support a young person into the world of work, but where this is not possible, the team will seek to support a young person into other meaningful opportunities such as formal training, volunteering, or work experience.
Talking about the new programme, Paula Thompson, Managing Director of Progress Careers said;
“We have a proven track record of helping to prevent young people from becoming NEET via our impartial career’s education provision delivered in schools, as well as with working with economically inactive adults in West Yorkshire. We are really excited to further bolster our services within Sheffield, to help young people who are not actively engaging in education or training get to where they want to be. I can’t wait to welcome our first young people to the programme and see the incredible impact we will have on their lives.”
Via its personalised guidance, Bridges will offer a myriad of support, built on a person-centric model where there is no ‘one size fits all’. Whether young people need to develop self-awareness, understand career aspiration or develop more finely tuned employability credentials, we use a strength-based approach to support on an individual level.
To officially launch the programme, Progress Careers are holding a Launch Event at their offices, The Circle on Rockingham Lane on Monday 7th July. Potential referral partners are welcome to register for free here.
More information can be found at bridges-progresscareers.co.uk.
