Employment and Enterprise - 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.

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

Annika

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.

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.

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.

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+

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

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