BUSINESS leaders have come together to appeal for employers to join an initiative aimed at addressing the needs of school leavers.

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub both believe that Year 11 and 13 students who are finishing their education at the end of May could prove themselves to be a hugely significant influx of new talent into the workforce provided they are given the opportunity, and have formed the Lancashire Careers Hub to help meet theses needs.

This comes after the coronavirus pandemic proved to be a particularly difficult time for young people, with employment opportunities severely impacted and formal examinations unable to take place.

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Miranda Barker said: "We know from our own and our member’s experiences the value a young person can bring to an organisation.

"We’re delighted to support this initiative and encourage all our members and Lancashire businesses to look now at their recruitment needs for the summer and whether they can benefit from recruiting a local school leaver.

"There is also a wealth of support available to employers looking to create new positions for the next generation of workers, and we can signpost any business to local providers who can ensure a seamless transition for the young person and maximise the support for the employer."

The chamber, together with the skills and employment hub, is asking businesses to signal their support for the initiative and advertise opportunities on social media using the hashtags #inspiringlancashire and #upskillinglancashire, which parents and carers of young people have also been invited to search as a way of finding out about opportunities in their areas.

They have also appealed to employers to commit to engaging with young people and supporting their education by signing up to the Lancashire Skills Pledge.

Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub director Dr Michele Lawty-Jones said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, to engage members in the work of the Careers Hub to boost the aspirations of our young people and to ensure that Lancashire employers are able to showcase local job opportunities and engage their future talent pipeline.

"The time is now for our 2021 school and college leavers, and we are jointly encouraging local employers to consider their recruitment needs with a view to growing their own talent by engaging a younger person.

"By signing up to the Lancashire Skills Pledge employers will be given support to get involved in engaging young people in school and college and to investigate different options for training, such as Apprenticeships."

To find out more about the Lancashire Skills Pledge, go to: https://www.lancashireskillshub.co.uk/lancashire-skills-pledge/.