Businesses across Wolverhampton are being encouraged to make a lasting difference to the lives of young care leavers.
The City of Wolverhampton Council has launched a new initiative, One Wolves Family Next Steps, designed to create meaningful employment opportunities for care leavers by helping them build their confidence and develop skills, and by linking employers with potential recruits.
Many young people leaving care face additional barriers to employment, including limited professional and family networks, lower access to work experience, and fewer opportunities to build those connections that often lead to jobs.
Despite this, they have significant potential to offer employers. One Wolves Family is designed to equip them with the skills, confidence and workplace readiness needed to succeed, while provide local businesses with access to motivated talent, and ongoing support for the young person as they begin their careers.
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Every young person deserves the opportunity to achieve their ambitions.
“Our care experienced young people have enormous talent, resilience and potential, but many face challenges that can make it harder to access employment opportunities.
“Our vision for One Wolves Family Next Steps is to support as many care experienced people as possible to develop the practical skills and knowledge they need for successful, sustainable employment and progress in their early careers.”
Councillor Paula Brookfield, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Opportunities, added: “Through One Wolves Family Next Steps, businesses can play a vital role in helping young people realise their potential – while also increasing their own social impact and contributing to the development of Wolverhampton’s future workforce.
“This is an opportunity for employers to make a real difference, helping Wolverhampton’s care leavers realise their potential and developing their workforce of tomorrow, and I would encourage organisations of all sizes to get involved.”
Businesses signing up to One Wolves Family Next Steps would commit to working alongside the council to create employment opportunities including apprenticeships, attending training to better understand the experiences of care leavers and how best to support them, and helping care experienced young people thrive in the workplace.
In return, employers would receive dedicated training, advice and support from the council, including access to a single point of contact, guidance and training, support for managers, and promotion of opportunities through council channels.