A project that enabled businesses to help transform the lives of young people in Liverpool city region is to return after being put on hold in the pandemic. Tony McDonough reports
A Liverpool city region project that brought businesses together with young people to help transform their lives is returning after being put on hold due to COVID-19.
Growth Platform – the city region’s growth agency – originally launched the Give an Hour initiative in 2019. The idea was that, in as little as one hour, a business or organisation could offer a whole new insight about careers and skills to young people.
Due to the pandemic Give an Hour had to be put on hold – but now Growth Platform’s Careers Hub is calling for more employers and employees to offer an hour of their time to help young people prepare for the fast-changing world of work.
It is run jointly by Growth Platform’s Careers Hub and The Careers & Enterprise Company. Gill Walsh, careers hub lead at Growth Platform, said: “I am delighted we are in a position to re-launch such a great initiative.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to help support our young people to establish their career path, prepare them for the world of work and raise their aspirations. Having local businesses directly involved brings local job opportunities to life and exposes career options they may have not otherwise considered.
“We are always looking for more people to inspire our young people so I would encourage all employers and employees in the city region to support this initiative. You could be the person who changes the life of a young person, just by showing them what is possible.”
Give an Hour emphasises the importance of tapping into the career opportunities, skills and knowledge of businesses. Activities can include interview practice, mentoring or working with a teacher to bring a lesson to life.
Ian Green, managing director at Complete Training Solutions who signed up to be part of the Give an Hour initiative, added: “At Complete Training Solutions our health and safety training qualifications specialise in key sectors such as renewables and construction.
“Signing up to Give an Hour has enabled me to highlight and help students understand some of the wide range of career opportunities that are available to them that they may never have thought existed in our city region.”
Employers of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to visit www.giveanhour.co.uk to find out more and register to support a school or college in their area.