Plan 500 beats mid-year target – Business breakfast success
Plan 500 beats mid-year target: announced at Business Breakfast event, Wednesday 29th June
A very successful Business Breakfast event was held at STEAM attended by approximately 95 representatives from the Swindon business community and 45 young people (aged between 18 and 24) who are currently employed [JF1] on the Future Jobs Fund, and seeking their next employer. Around 50% of the companies attending had not yet taken part in Plan 500, and had come to learn more about this innovative scheme.
Speeches were given by Bill Cotton (Forward Swindon) and Steve Blore (Nationwide and Plan 500 Chair), highlighting the achievements of Plan 500 to date: so far 404 opportunities have been created, far exceeding the half way target of 250 which the event had originally been planned to celebrate.
Nick Hewer, Lord Sugar’s right hand man regaled the audience with tales of how he came to work for Amstrad, and then latterly how Lord Sugar insisted that he actively became a business mentor alongside Margaret for a new BBC show called The Apprentice.
Nick fully understands the benefit to business of young people in the workplace, and recalled his memories of Swindon and the part that apprentices played back then in the local industry – something that he is passionate about promoting to business now[JF2] .
The morning was completed by Bill Cotton at Forward Swindon. He gave thanks to the local businesses that had helped young people through Plan 500, but reinforced the importance of more offers of work experience, training opportunities or apprenticeships, to open more doors for young people, and drive growth in Swindon.
Swindon businesses can participate in Plan 500 and do their bit to support young people in Swindon entering the labour market or developing their careers. For an informal chat about how you can get involved please contact Angela Ashdown at Forward Swindon on 01793 429250 or email angelaashdown@forwardswindon.co.uk
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30/06/2011