Employers are signing up to the Hertfordshire Opportunities Pledge to provide opportunities for young people following the “Build Your Talent Pipeline” event which supported businesses to engage with education.

During the free-to-attend event at Brocket Hall, Welwyn, on 18 May, DLRC regulatory consultancy, The Content Hive, NSK United Kingdom Ltd, Tewin Bury Farm Hotel , Paradise Wildlife Park, Hertfordshire Building Control, Computacenter and Realm Partners, all took the pledge bringing the total businesses to almost 40. Visit HOP’s website to see the full list.

Delivered by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and hosted by Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and supported by East of England Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, the event shone a spotlight on the LEP’s Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal (HOP), which is leading on the pledge and links employers to educators and provides resources for students and residents wishing to upskill or make informed career decisions, as well as employers building a future talent pipeline.

Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair, Skills Advisory Panel, Hertfordshire LEP, said: “If we are really serious about delivering levelling up and ensuring that we leave no place or person behind, then we must deliver a steady throughput of skills to support our local businesses. It was very encouraging to see so many businesses pledge to offer work opportunities be it via apprenticeships, training, work experience or tasters. Even just a few hours can make a real difference to an individual’s future. By linking business to education via HOP, we can help fill the skills gap, unlock future potential, diversify our talent pool and ensure our economy thrives.”

Keynote speaker Professor Sir Tim Wilson, Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, spoke about the value of apprenticeships, saying: “It’s all about skills, and the development of skills is really first class in this country. We have to serve and support our local economy and apprenticeships are a way of doing this.”

Anna West, MCP’s Director of Talent, MCP, began taking on apprentices when she realised she would have no staff under the age of 30 within a decade and figures showed only 7% of young people were choosing a construction career.

She said: “We had to act and we had to act now. As a business, we are passionate about creating opportunities for young people and currently have nine apprentices within MCP. We enjoy the energy and new ideas they bring and of course, they are the future custodians of our business.”

Simon Heywood, Managing Director, Hertfordshire Building Controls, added: “Our apprentices aren't all 18 and some of them are employed in quite senior roles.

“It’s not about cheap labour. If you treat people that way you will be rewarded that way. We ensure we look after our people and we have some great schemes out there we can tap into as an organisation.

“I think we have a great opportunity in this county with HOP!”

HOP is Hertfordshire’s premier gateway to find out about career path options; employment opportunities; apprenticeships and work experience; skills development and professional qualification programmes.

Caroline Cartwright, Head of Skills, Employment and Apprenticeships, Hertfordshire LEP, said: “Our vision is to be truly embedded in Hertfordshire as the central portal for information on careers, employment, apprenticeships and skills programmes for our young people, residents and employers.”

She also encouraged employers to take the Hertfordshire Opportunities Pledge with HOP’s support.

Steve Trotter, Operations Lead of the Hertfordshire Careers Hub - a group of schools, colleges, employers and providers - said: “As an employer, you should never underestimate the positive influence you can have on young people. Giving pupils multiple exposure to employers and workplaces allows them to meet role models and build aspiration and inspiration around future pathways, jobs and opportunities.”

“We need you to make the pledge.”

By signing up to this pledge, employers will have the opportunity to be at the heart of inspiring the future workforce for the benefit of their own businesses and help the local economy to thrive.

The pledge will ensure that job seekers are inspired and informed about the expanding range of opportunities in Hertfordshire and that employers are supported with effective plans to recruit and develop their workforce by committing to an action plan for improvement and possible adjustments.

Visit HOP’s website here for more information and to take the pledge.

For more information contact info@hertfordshirelep.co.uk