Future Boost – providing additional opportunities for young people

Friday, 20 August 2021 09:49

Young people across the Bradford District are being offered additional support this summer with employment, education and training opportunities under the new Future Boost initiative.

Future Boost, which is being led by Bradford Council, aims to make sure that everyone aged between 16 and 24 who is not already working, studying or training, can get help to find a job.

The scheme was launched in June this year and helps young people to get work experience or a paid placement, a place at college or university or to secure an apprenticeship, training programme or volunteering role.

Under the scheme, Bradford Council says every young person in the district will have access to;

high-quality careers education, advice and guidance
a learning course
an offer of an employment placement
culture, sport and community-based activities
an online mentor.

Future Boost has seen the council work with a range of partners including the district’s further education colleges, its university, local employers, community organisations and National Careers Service.

These positive partnerships have and will continue to support young people in gaining opportunities that will support and develop them in their future choices and lives.

More initiatives have been added to this programme and include:

The Sporting Chance project, which is an alternative learning provider will provide 16 new job opportunities for young people to gain accredited learning and experience within the world of sport. This will enable them to access a diverse range of sporting careers within the public, private and voluntary sectors. Sporting Chance opportunities this will be offered through SkillsHouse as part of the Kick Start offer.
There will be 10 new apprentice youth workers. The work they do will help ensure the voices of young people are heard by the districts leaders and decision makers and increase young people’s options for future employment in a range of youth services.
Grants will be available for local sports clubs so they can offer more activities for young people to participate in a wide range of sports. These can be accessed through the Council’s area offices.
There will be an opportunity for free swimming passes for 16-25 year olds until Sunday 5 September. Contact your local pool for details.
An outreach team of youth workers will be formed who will engage with young people to offer and encourage participation in Future Boost opportunities.
Work Placement opportunities will be available to enable young people to gain an insight into the world of work and develop their skills in preparation for working life. This may be a short taster for a few days with an employer or a block one/two-week work placement.

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, said: “It is vital that we put young people at the heart of our plans to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic. Future Boost will play a key part of our COVID-19 recovery making sure that our young people have the opportunities to help them achieve their ambitions.

“We have seen A level, BTEC and GCSE results released recently. It can be a stressful time for young people and their families as they choose what their next steps are, so it is timely to remind people of the range of brilliant opportunities we are offering young people through Future Boost and which we will continue to build on in the coming months.”