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NEBP Employer awards, left to right: Newcastle EBP employer award winners Robert Phillips (Robert Muckle LLP), Melanie Bear (Newcastle City Council: winner of BA company award), Cliff Thornton (outstanding contribution to the board), Lynn Taylor (Freeman Hospital: At Work award), Sean Nee (Collectables: Retail Gold award), Lyn Irvin (HMRC: BA individual award), Gillian Bulman (Newcastle EBP). |
BUSINESSES across Tyneside have been rewarded for their work encouraging young people to build crucial employability skills.
More than 50 employers, including Starbucks, Collectables, KPMG, John Lewis, Deloitte and Proctor & Gamble, were recognised for their contribution to Newcastle Education Business Partnership (EBP) projects at the organisation’s inaugural Employer Awards at St James' Park.
There was a strong presence too from the public sector, with the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle City Council and regional development agency One NorthEast gathering awards.
"Hundreds of young people benefit from our innovative projects, gaining new skills which may help them to find a great career. The businesses we work with benefit from staff development and a stronger influence on skills generation in the curriculum. It's a mutually beneficial link which our partner businesses value enormously," said Newcastle EBP chief executive Gillian Bulman.
"Following our most successful year to date, we decided to put on an awards ceremony with nominations in eight different categories for employers which had helped most this academic year."
Employers working with Newcastle EBP can influence the curriculum by delivering interactive sessions in schools about their industry, setting business challenges for students and hosting work-based placements.
The EBP, which has been approved as a regional consultant for Enterprise, recently won the National Enterprise Award and has achieved its third Investors in People Award against the new standards, is also co-ordinating employer involvement in the new 14-19 Diplomas being rolled out in Newcastle schools in September.
“The advent of Diplomas provides new opportunities for companies of all sizes to influence the skills and knowledge of young people,” said Gillian Bulman. “At the same time, they have the chance to develop new recruitment channels, contribute to the local community and economy, and enhance their image and reputation.
“There are a variety of ways for employers to lend their expertise and influence the curriculum, from delivering interactive sessions in schools about their industry, to setting business challenges for students, to hosting young people on work-based placements which enhance their employability skills.”
With Newcastle EBP keen to attract more business professionals, each attendee at the awards ceremony was invited to bring a business associate along to allow them an insight into the many different ways employers can support young people and the future workforce of the region.
The ceremony culminated in a Lifetime Achievement award for Ged Nearney of Newcastle Leisure for his outstanding contribution and support to youth development and Newcastle EBP projects.
Newcastle EBP has been identified as one of the best EBPs in the country and is now used as a benchmark against which others are measured. It brings business and education together to build skills for the future and create an enterprising edge to the curriculum. It also works closely with employers to fill skills gaps, often at their request, providing qualification-led experience for youngsters.