STAFF from Newcastle United’s community arm are amongst 18 companies helping develop the employability skills of young people in the North-East.

The Newcastle United Foundation staff worked with pupils at the Education Village in Darlington as part of their role in The Esh Group’s Building My Skills (BMS) programme.

Overseen by the Durham City based construction firm, but involving 18 professional organisations including Barclays Bank, Sunderland AFC’s Foundation of Light, Northumbrian Water, the NHS and Arup, the programme works to develop the employability skills of Year 10 and Year 11 pupils at schools across the North-East.

The sessions cover a wide range of skills which are required by employers and a particular focus is placed on the subject areas sought out by different industry sectors.

All 180 Year 10 pupils at Haughton Academy are signed up to the programme and have so far benefitted from sessions delivered by ESH Group, Hotel Indigo, NatWest and law firm Muckle, as well as the Foundation.

Assistant headteacher, Paul Bartle, said: “The presentation by Jen and Kate, from Newcastle United Foundation, really engaged students with its interactive style, and content which resonated well with the students – they were even allowed to use their mobile devices.

“There was a clear work-related element to the session which looked at the way in which a person’s on-line appearance can affect employment opportunities and business success, alongside the affect on individuals of the careless use of a range of social media.

“It is fabulous that students have access to adults other than teachers, from a variety of business sectors, to gain a real understanding of the opportunities that exist for them and the specific attributes they will need to be successful in these sectors.”

Mr Bartle added that the school was very pleased to have gained a place on the BMS programme.

“We recognise the importance of providing our young people with clear insights into the world of work and in developing the personal attributes needed by employers to sit alongside their qualifications, and believe this programme will assist greatly towards this goal,” he said.

Kate Warner, Senior Project Officer at Newcastle United Foundation, said: “One of the main aims of Newcastle United Foundation is to inspire people to learn and reach their potential.

"The challenges facing our region when we launched in 2008 are still prominent today including high levels of poor health, low educational attainment and above average youth unemployment.

“While our Foundation does not claim to be able to solve all of these issues, we know we have a role in leading change in the region and we take that role very seriously.

"It was great to have so many keen young students at The Education Village and we are sure that as a result of this project that they will be better prepared for the world of work.”

Every student taking part is invited to compile a personal file, documenting their progress as they tackle a number of critical ‘checkpoints’ to develop their work readiness throughout the programme, culminating in realistic job interview opportunities for the best performing students.

Developing young people’s employability skills is also a key aim of Foundation for Jobs a national award winning initiative to tackle youth unemployment involving Darlington Borough Council, The Northern Echo and the Darlington Partnership, of public and private sector organisations.