Businesses across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are being invited to support an ambitious work experience programme aimed at providing 3,000 placements for young people throughout the D2N2 region.

In this fast changing world, young people need an insight to the world of work to help prepare them for the future and raise their aspirations. In the current climate, the ability to go and physically visit workplaces has all but disappeared.

North Derbyshire Careers Hub and the D2N2 Enterprise Adviser Network has teamed up with the national charity Speakers for Schools to develop a solution – Virtual Work Experience – to ensure that all schools across D2N2 have the chance to provide their students with a virtual work experience opportunity.

Speakers for Schools was founded in 2010 by ITV’s Political Editor Robert Peston with a mission to level the playing field for young people. The charity aims to end educational inequality by giving access to the same networks as the top fee-paying schools in the UK through inspirational talks and broadcasts, employer insight days and work placements, and meaningful discounts and life-preparing opportunities.

Find out more

Interested businesses can find out more about the programme by signing up to one of two Employers Virtual Work Experience (VWEX) Information Events targeted for the Derby and Derbyshire (D2) and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (N2) areas of the region.

• D2 – 15th December, 1-2pm
• N2 – 16th December, 8-9am

To register and find out more, please visit here.

Employers are welcome to join either session depending on availability, but may find some questions or information is relevant to a particular area.

Businesses will hear more from Speakers for Schools Head of Region (Midlands) Sarah Cleverley, about how simple it is to be involved and offer valuable insights of your businesses to the young people of D2N2 and your future workforce

The North Derbyshire Careers Hub was launched in January 2020 and has developed an effective partnership between employers and careers leaders in schools and colleges to drive forward careers education.

It is managed by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership along with the Careers and Enterprise Company.

Dan Heffernan, D2N2 Careers Hub Lead, said:“ We are very excited to be joining up with Speakers for Schools to help young people in our region enjoy a high quality virtual experience of the world of work.

“This project will form one part of our wider virtual offer for schools and colleges across D2N2 – and as we continue to learn and adapt to the ‘new normal’ we are as committed as ever to providing as much support to the regions young people as possible.

“We have made this process as straight forward as possible, and all we ask is that any business that wants to get involved is prepared to take a little time out of their working week to help our young people get experience and knowledge of real world working environments.”

Jason Elsom, Chief Executive Officer, Speakers for Schools, said: “In an unprecedented year for schools, employers and most importantly, young people, Speakers for Schools is committed to levelling the playing field for school students of all backgrounds.

“This new partnership with D2N2 LEP and The North Derbyshire Careers Hub will enable us to work closely with schools and leading companies across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to provide high quality work placements.”

For further information, please contact D2N2 Enterprise Co-ordinator, Emily Carter – Emily.Carter@d2n2lep.org

Keep up to date with all the latest news from D2N2 by signing up for our Newsletter.