Over 30 guests from partner agencies working with young people joined Exeter College and Careers South West for a joint ‘NEET in the City’ event aimed to raise awareness of the range of programmes designed to help unemployed young people to get into work or further learning this week.

Senior managers from organisations such as Devon County Council, Exeter Foyer, Exeter City Council, Exeter YMCA, Westcountry Housing and Beacon Heath Children’s Centre joined staff from the college and the careers advisory service to showcase how the three initiatives of Princes Trust, Positive Pathways and Directions has already benefited young people in the city. Joined by four of the young people who have completed the programmes and are now in work or further learning, the agencies were able to see for themselves how the various activities are designed to help self confidence and build the very skills that employers are looking for in the difficult economic climate.

“The news is full of very gloomy statistics about unemployment,” said Chris Petheram, head of the college’s foundation studies, “so this event could not have come at a better time. We wanted to show that, with targeted help, there really is a way forward for young people in the city and wider afield who might feel that there’s no hope. It’s important to all of us that the agencies that these young people go to when they find they are out of work or are unsure of what to do are fully aware of the help that is available so they can refer young people for the right help.”

The event was centred around those young people not in education, employment or training – named NEET by the Government – and former NEET students Rebecca Enyioko, Kain Wyn-Lord, Sanisha Renney and Joe Nix were stars for the day telling their own stories through video and interviews.

“Young people need all the help they can get in order to progress into work and training” says Sue Wearne, Local Services Delivery Manager for Careers South West, “this kind of initiative is an example of the collaborative work that is essential in order for this to happen. As an impartial and independent service, we would welcome working with all providers in this way.”

For further information, call Sylvia Jarman on 01392 205585, 07800 745855 or sylviajarman@exe-coll.ac.uk

Photo L-R is
Richard Atkins Principal Exeter College, Joe Nix (student), Sue Wearne Local Services Delivery Manager for Careers South West and Chris Petherham, Head of Foundation Studies, Exeter College