Helping young people to fulfil their potential, with the resulting boost to the economy, is the ethos behind a scheme that is being extended free of charge to the Isle of Man.

The Inspiring the Future scheme is run by the Education and Employers taskforce, a UK-based charity whose partnership board includes representatives of leading industry bodies such as the CBI and bodies representing education.

The scheme helps schools to develop partnerships with employers that provide students with the inspiration, motivation, knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to help them achieve their potential, so benefiting the economy.
 
Job-holders from all walks of life are partnered up with schools to talk to, and inspire, students. There are extensive web resources that schools can tap into.
 
Nick Chambers, Director of the Education and Employers taskforce, will visit the Island on Monday and Tuesday (16th and 17th June) to meet members of the Isle of Man Government and employers to discuss setting up Inspiring the Future locally.
 
He will talk with Tim Crookall MHK, Minister for Education and Children, John Shimmin MHK, Minister for Economic Development, Professor Ronald Barr, the Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Education and Children, Chris Corlett, CEO of DED and senior officials from both Departments.
 
Deloitte in the Isle of Man will also be hosting a lunch for Mr Chambers to meet leading figures from some of the Island’s biggest employers. Deloitte in the UK already supports this exciting initiative with more than 200 of its employees signed up to the programme.
 
Mr Chambers will also meet PDMS chief Chris Gledhill, creator of the employed.im careers and employment website, and will visit schools and meet headteachers.
 
The initiative has stemmed from the Employability Working Group, which was set up to help bridge gaps between school and the workplace in the face of changing economic challenges and growing competition in the jobs market.
 
The working group comprises representatives of the DEC and DED, business and voluntary organisations.
 
Following its inaugural conference in 2012, the working group identified three priorities: involving employers more directly in careers education; communicating job-related information digitally and enhancing work experience opportunities. Sub-committees are developing these areas.
 
The group hosted a second, highly successful conference in April, with the theme ‘Reach Higher’.
 
Annette Baker, Deputy Headteacher at Ballakermeen High School and a member of the working group, said: ‘Inspiring the Future will open up a huge range of opportunities for our schools and the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education to enlist the services of speakers from the world of work to talk to young people about careers. Meanwhile, students and education staff will benefit from the links to employers and to careers-focused initiatives the scheme’s website provides.’

Photo - Mr Chambers.