If the answer is yes to one or more of the above questions you should consider getting involved with the above Scheme, supported by Ashfield District Council working in partnership with Nottinghamshire Aimhigher, a programme to raise aspirations and attainment of young people.

What is the project about?

Far too few young people from Ashfield go on to higher education and those who do are unlikely to return to work in their home district. The aim of the project is to encourage local young people with higher level skills to come back and work with businesses in Ashfield during their studies and after they graduate, in order to help them make a positive contribution to the economic prosperity of the area.

How will it work in practice?

The project will link up young people with local employers who will provide work experience and training during the summer vacation period, making valuable use of their skills and knowledge to contribute to the development of the business.

What sort of work would the student do?

That will very much depend on your company’s needs, but ideally they would carry out a specific project that would benefit your business, perhaps something that you have not had the resource to develop. An example might be to write a health and safety policy, to research the potential for e-commerce or develop a marketing strategy for a new product.

What will it cost me?

Very little! You will have to invest some time and effort into planning a programme for the young person you take on. You will agree to have the student work within your business for a minimum of 8 weeks over the summer vacation. The student will be paid a training allowance of £200 per week. The Scheme will contribute 80% of this cost (£160) per week to SMEs (small to medium sized enterprises) with fewer than 250 employees and 50% of this cost (£100) per week to larger organisations.

What do I have to commit to?

You will agree to provide a structured experience for the young person, which will enable them to develop their skills and expertise in a real business environment. It is hoped that you would become involved with the individual’s progress over the course of their studies, providing for example mentoring support.

What help and support will I receive?

We will discuss your specific project outline with you and will endeavour to identify and recruit a student to meet your business needs and requirements. We will help you to plan and develop a structured programme for the young person. We will keep in contact and monitor the student’s progress to help identify and resolve any problems that might arise. There will be a network of companies involved in the Scheme so you will be able to share ideas and hopefully gain from others’ experience.

What are the benefits to a business?

• Additional resource at a very low cost
• Opportunity to access an undergraduate with a fresh perspective and the skills to deliver a specific project
• Opportunity to recruit an individual that you have trained and developed over a period of time

What are the benefits to the student?

• Additional financial support whilst studying
• Opportunity to gain valuable work experience relevant to their course
• Opportunity to get permanent employment in their local area

What are the benefits to the local community?

• A positive contribution to local skills shortages
• More young people returning to work in their local area
• Raised awareness of the benefits of participation in higher education

How do I get involved?

If you would like to consider supporting a student through the above Scheme, please complete and return this expression of interest form or simply contact us for an initial discussion:

Ella O’Connor
Regeneration Section
Ashfield District Council
Urban Road
Kirkby-in-Ashfield
Nottingham NG17 8DA
Telephone: 01623 457303
E-mail: e.oconnor@ashfield-dc.gov.uk

Students celebrating at the 2007 awards evening