Education Business Partnership - YEP!

Four years ago, their 20-year-old son experienced a breakdown at school that left him feeling lost and unsure about his future. Despite his impressive skills in computing and programming, he struggled to find his way forward.

Then they met Julie......

Julie Tully EBP - Yep! Team

Through the YEP program, Julie connected with their son and offered unwavering kindness, patience, and empathy. She helped him build confidence, tackle everyday tasks, and even encouraged him to volunteer as a gardener – something they never thought he'd do!

With Julie's guidance, their son rediscovered his passion for technology. She helped him prepare for an interview, negotiate reasonable adjustments with an employer, and land an internship within just five months! Seeing him thrive in this role, sharing his knowledge and humour with colleagues, filled them with joy and gratitude.

'Julie's support has been truly transformative'.

Sadly, resources for young people facing mental health challenges in Cornwall are scarce. They spent years on waiting lists, feeling helpless. Funding for dedicated support like Julie's is vital, and they're eager to help in any way they can to ensure other families experience the same positive impact.

Yep! Is a partnership of 11 organisations across Cornwall that can support young people with their next steps, who are:
· Age 16-24
· Living in Cornwall or the IoS
· Not in employment, education, or training
· Struggling in education age 16+
📢Referrals can be made by following the link Yep! - CSW Group Ltd.
Please gain the young person’s consent before making a referral.
Yep! Is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
#YouCan #UKSPF #CIOSGOODGROWTH #EBPcornwall #cornwallopportunities #youthopportunities #makingithappen

This was a significant milestone for Annika, marking the beginning of her career in administration!

Annika came on to the Yep! Project in April 24, with the thoughts of a career within admin. She had taken part in many government funded programmes over the years, without success, but this time she was determined to find a fulltime paid position this time.

She did! After a few unsuccessful interviews and a false start at a school catering company, Annika applied and offered a job as a Business Admin Assistant at Cornwall Council.

The role at the Council was exactly what she had been striving for—a chance to utilise her skills and knowledge in a full-time capacity. Annika was eager to learn and grow, and she was grateful for the support and guidance she received from the Yep! Project.

As she starts her new job, Annika will reflect on her journey and will realise that every experience, even those that seemed like setbacks, has contributed to her personal and professional growth. Her story, I hope, will become an inspiration for others in the program, proving that with determination and the right support, achieving one's career goals is possible.

The Yep! Project will celebrate Annika's success as a testament to the impact of their work in empowering individuals to pursue meaningful employment. Annika's story will become a beacon of hope, encouraging others to persist through challenges and seize every opportunity that comes their way.

Yep! Is a partnership of 11 organisations across Cornwall that can support young people with their next steps, who are:
· Age 16-24
· Living in Cornwall or the IoS
· Not in employment, education, or training
· Struggling in education age 16+

📢Referrals can be made by following the link Yep! - CSW Group Ltd.

Please gain the young person’s consent before making a referral.

Yep! Is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

#YouCan #UKSPF #CIOSGOODGROWTH #EBPcornwall #cornwallopportunities

#youthopportunities #makingithappen

Reaching young people with the Maritime UK Summit

The Maritime Museum recently hosted the Maritime UK Summit in collaboration with Cornwall Marine Network.

The summit, attended by industry leaders, educators, and policymakers, shone a spotlight on the industries ongoing efforts to promote skills development and employment, particularly for hard-to-reach young people.

The first part of the summit was an inspiring initiative to highlighting barriers faced by young people from underrepresented communities, including those facing socioeconomic challenges or living in geographically isolated areas.

Tim Hunt from the the Yep! Team at Education Business Partnership, explained: “This was a fantastic day for bringing to the forefront opportunities in this particular industry and engaging young people.”

Tim Hunt

“Maritime industry partners spoke about the programs they have implemented which are tailored to equip these individuals with industry-specific skills while fostering personal growth and confidence.”

The summit also saw commitments from key stakeholders to transition using clean energy. As a part of this, leaders from the maritime industry pledged to increase apprenticeships, mentorship programs, school outreach and funding for grassroots projects targeting hard-to-reach youth.

Policymakers also expressed their dedication to fostering such partnerships, emphasizing the importance of maritime innovation and, inclusivity for the nation’s economy.

Tim added: “This was a vibrant event that showcased the sector’s commitment to nurturing talent and broadening opportunities!”

Jo and Cat from EBP took full advantage of the networking opportunities at the Truro Careers Fair on Wednesday, October 9th, held at The Alverton Hotel. The event provided a valuable platform for them to connect with industry professionals, explore potential collaborations, and gain insights into the latest trends. Engaging with a diverse group of participants, they were able to exchange ideas and gather information that could benefit the Yep! and Diversity to Thrive Projects. The fair not only facilitated new connections but also reinforced existing relationships, making it a fruitful experience.

#YouCan #SEND #EBPcornwall #Diversity

Attending the PCC event at the Eden Project was a fantastic experience, brimming with opportunities to promote Yep! and network with both parents/carers and other providers. The Eden Project's stunning backdrop added a unique charm to the event and engaging with parents to discuss the Yep! project is an essential step in ensuring they are well-informed about the support available for their children.

We can support Young People who are:
Age 16-24
Live in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly
Not in employment, education, or training
Struggling in education age 16+

Please gain the young person’s consent before making a referral.

Referrals can be made by following the link https://cswgroup.co.uk/home/young-people/yep/

#YouCan #UKSPF #CIOSGOODGROTH

Yep! is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund'

After beginning her journey with the Yep! Project and embarking on her Functional Skills Maths and English courses through Plymouth Argyle, our Yep! YP found herself at a pivotal moment, uncertain of her next steps. Despite applying for an apprenticeship at a nursery, the opportunity did not materialize. However, a conversation with Jo Ledger from the Education Business Partnership (EBP) opened new doors. Inspired by their discussion, she explored Duchy College's Animal Care Courses. Following a visit to the Duchy Animal Care department with her mother, she secured a place on the program, which is set to commence this week. This new direction promises exciting opportunities and a bright future in animal care for her.

We can support Young People who are:
Age 16-24
Live in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly
Not in employment, education, or training
Struggling in education age 16+

Please gain the young person’s consent before making a referral.

Referrals can be made by following the link https://cswgroup.co.uk/home/young-people/yep/

#YouCan #UKSPF #CIOSGOODGROTH #CSWGroup

Yep! is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Cat and Lauren

Yep! Success

We're thrilled to share a heart-warming Yep! update.

Please meet Lauren, Lauren is one of our Yep! participants and has just completed a supported internship at Bodmin Hospital. She is being supported by the Yep! team and Cat has been helping her with her next steps. Recently, we connected with Imagine Outdoors, a fantastic children's adventure group run by the amazing Matt Tolson (aka Pinky). They offer after-school clubs, holiday clubs, birthday party hosting, and sessions for home-schooled children and children in care. Matt’s ethos is all about letting children be wild, free, and true to themselves, grounded in strong community values.

Matt welcomed Lauren to join some sessions with the club! She helped with an after-school session where she played Top Trumps with the kids, handed out prizes, and even had fun with a bubble machine. Lauren also pitched in at the BBQ, taking charge of the ketchup and mayo, and engaging with all the kids. We're now working on setting up a Level 1 childcare course for Lauren, and we're excited about her future in this field.

We can support young people with their next steps, who are:

• Age 16-24
• Living in Cornwall or the IoS
• Not in employment, education, or training
• Struggling in education age 16+

Referrals can be made by following the link: Yep! - CSW Group Ltd.

Please gain the young person’s consent before making a referral.

Yep! Is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

EBP Youth Employment Officer Tim designed a supported work experience week for a group of ten Year 10 students with SEND needs.

Due to their additional needs these students, from Brannel School in St Stephens, would be unable to complete a work placement with one employer. However, they would still benefit from learning about some of the local industries and the employers in their area.

The week was to run alongside the Passport to Work Experience program, which was also partly run by the Education Business Partnership.

Tim explained: “After approaching employers across Cornwall I was able to provide the school with a healthy list of employers who offer activities spanning across several industries. Science teachers Jason Doolan and Jade Blackett then cherry picked the activities they felt would be most appropriate and consulted the students. They also spoke to parents on the plan for the week, seeking feedback also.”

The school also had access to a pot of money which could pay for resources and transport for STEM focused activities, which the school were keen to use and which helped shape the program.

Tim settled on the following employers running activities:

• School of Dough - Catering and hospitality workshop
• Geothermal Engineering Ltd – Renewable energy/CV writing and interview skills workshop
• Spaceport Cornwall – Space and aerospace workshop
• Cornwall Training – First Aid training/Networking for employment workshop
• Suez – Recycling workshop
• George Slater – Enterprise experience

Tim added: “Feedback from the week was great, with the students engaging well with most of the activities. The school want to repeat the program next year with the addition of some animal based activities from someone like the RSPCA.”

After two individuals from YEP! sought assistance from our case workers at EBP for employment prospects in the tech sector, our employment officer reached out to various tech companies in Cornwall and across the border in Devon. He received a positive response from potential employers, some of whom view neurodiversity as a gift rather than a disability, particularly when it comes to coding roles.

These individuals are eager to venture into the coding realm and have already been actively honing their skills from their own homes. Ver Facil Ltd, a remote monitoring solutions company based in Bodmin, has generously offered both individuals a two-week work experience opportunity that includes coding tasks, with the potential for further career prospects.

Additionally, the CEO of Intelligent AI, headquartered in Exeter with a Newquay office quickly reached out and the project expressing a keen interest in recruiting from a pool of enthusiastic young coders in the upcoming months.

Tim Hunt.

Youth Employment Officer - Cornwall EBP

Yep! #YouCan

A 16 year old student from Penair school has been unsure of his future. He is looking for work and income, keen to fund a moped to help with his independence and open opportunities for work.

He has a college place in September; however his school were worried that he would drop off the radar over the summer after their support ended.

No chance of that with YEP! beside him!

The team decided to take it step by step and, after some coaching and confidence building sessions, he aced 2 interviews and has secured not 1 but 2 trial shifts in hospitality. YEP! will stay beside him throughout the summer and then his transition into college.

We are also looking into the possibility of a collaboration with The Cornwall Bicycle Project and White Gold to secure funding to get him some qualifications in Bicycle Mechanics, which could lead to work experience and future employment.

He is not entirely sure that college is the best option for him, so plan B is to investigate apprenticeship opportunities in mechanics.

Jane Cornelious

Yep! - Youth Engagement Officer - EBP