Careers service goes online for Preston teens

An outreach programme is extending its services to make sure teenagers don't miss out on vital careers support while in lock-down.
Year nine pupils at Our Lady's Lancaster take part in an interactive workshop with Future UYear nine pupils at Our Lady's Lancaster take part in an interactive workshop with Future U
Year nine pupils at Our Lady's Lancaster take part in an interactive workshop with Future U

The project, funded by the Office for Students, has supported 16,000 young people in Lancashire to think about higher education, and is expanding to include all Preston secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges with its new online signposting service.

Future U aims to increase the number of young people considering university, further education or degree apprenticeships.

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The new online provision includes a database of activities which schools can access which signpost to activities that are offered by higher and further education providers in Lancashire including introductions to student life, guides to student finance, interview skills and personal statement support, through to revision skills and mentoring

Besides running activities in school and hosting online education challenges during the lockdown, Future U has previously organised and funded school events including visits to potential future workplaces such as technology warehouses, tourist attractions, commercial kitchens and sports colleges.

So afar the programme has delivered more than 800 activities totalling 2,500 hours of support to students .

Juliet Duncan, assistant headteacher, Our Lady’s Catholic College in Lancaster, said: "The students really enjoy the sessions from Future U

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"The delivery from all staff is relevant, clear and constructive and students are engaged, participating fully and wanting to know more information. The students really do get a huge amount out of it."

Programme manager Theo Blackburn added: " We play a crucial role in supporting young people across Lancashire by raising their aspirations and removing barriers to them progressing on to university, as well as higher and degree apprenticeships.

"Working with four universities as well as 10 colleges and other stakeholders means we can deliver meaningful support across the region."

The full list of activities can be downloaded from Future U’s website.