A new initiative which sees some of the region’s most influential bodies come together to improve skills and increase apprenticeship opportunities for young people in the area was officially launched on Wednesday 15th March.

The East Cambridgeshire Skills Forum met for the first time at the eSpace north business centre in Littleport and, at the event, four speakers addressed delegates from businesses and learning establishments about the challenges that lie ahead from both a business and education perspective and the plans in place to tackle them.

As part of the event, the Signpost 2 Skills bus paid a visit to meet delegates and promote the #jointhejourney campaign, which aims to promote the wide range of apprenticeship opportunities on offer to both businesses and young people. The crew included apprenticeship providers, members of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP’s own Signpost 2 Skills team, and local apprentices who share their experiences first-hand with visitors.

Councillor Lis Every from East Cambridgeshire District Council, who chaired the forum said: “The event was a fantastic success and everyone involved is committed to working together to make this an effective forum going forwards. Improving the apprenticeship and skills offering is vital to the productivity of our region and we are excited about the challenge ahead.”

Stella Cockerill, Head of Skills from the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP (GCGP LEP) added:

“The East Cambridgeshire Skills Forum has been born out of a desire from the local area to develop the training and development opportunities available to young people across East Cambridgeshire. The event has allowed training providers to #JoinTheJourney and directly connect with businesses and young people who want to find out more about how apprenticeships could help shape their future. The partnership approach will undoubtedly help improve the opportunities available to young people locally and the flow appropriately skilled people into the local workforce as well.”

Signpost 2 Skills is funded and run by the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP, and is designed to connect business, training and education providers to ensure the local area has an appropriately skilled workforce both now and in the future. You can find out more about how you can #JoinTheJourney by visiting www.signpost2skills.co.uk

The East Cambridgeshire skills forum is made up of representatives from over 35 different organisations including local schools and colleges, businesses and local authorities.