MP Support For The Pledge Event Pledges

Backing the Macclesfield ‘Pledge’ initiative based in Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, David Rutley is calling on local Small to Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) to support a ‘reach and inspire’ event focusing on the next generation of employees to boost the local economy in the area, including Poynton.

David is inviting local SMEs to join the Pledge’s morning event on Friday 29^th January 2021 to learn more about the initiative, discuss how to future-proof their businesses with new talent and the benefits of engaging directly with schools and colleges. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss both the local economy and how to better communicate with young workers to assist with their recruitment plans. Details on the event are available here:

https://macclesfieldsmes.eventbrite.co.uk.

More information about the Pledge  is also available here:

www.maccmeansbusiness.co.uk/who/MacclesfieldPledgePartnership  

As Macclesfield’s MP, David has given his strong support to Georgina Mills, Pledge Facilitator, and Trevor Langston, Pledge Lead at Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub, to further its important work. Based in the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, its varied operations include helping young people with training, work experience and job opportunities, based on collaboration with the business community. To date, the Pledge has reached over 7,000 students in ten local schools and Macclesfield College to engage and inform them about future career opportunities with local businesses.

Helping to plan the event recently with Georgina and Trevor, David was impressed to hear that 200 business and stakeholders are already involved in the Pledge, which has become one of the most active initiatives of its type in Cheshire. He is keen to help build on its proven track record, which includes organising an annual careers and education fair in February with over 1,000 students from seven schools and Macclesfield College in attendance, as well as 46 local employers. In October, the Pledge also ran a virtual careers exhibition attended by 6,643 students with over 10,000 views in total.

Trevor Langston, Pledge Lead at the Cheshire and Warrington LEP said “Young people are key to the future of our local economy and we’re excited to be launching this Reach and Inspire event through the Macclesfield Pledge.  This project is part of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership’s vision in ensuring all students are knowledgeable about the fantastic career opportunities that Cheshire and Warrington have to offer – and we encourage local businesses to get involved with this fantastic project.”

After his recent meeting with the Pledge team, David said, “The scope for the future success of the Macclesfield Pledge is only rivalled by the talented young people engaging with it. That’s why I’m inviting local businesses to attend this important ‘Reach and Inspire’ event where we will discuss the local economy and how to more effectively engage with young workers, especially at this challenging time. Georgina and Trevor are doing a superb job in delivering the Pledge for young people locally. I hope many local businesses will support the event in January.”

European Social Fund

The project is receiving up to £1.165 million of funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, European Social Fund funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, skills development, job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit: 

https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

Pledge Partnership

The bid was led by Changing Young Lives, a part of Youth Fed and will involve working with a number of key partners within the sub region, led by employers and including the accountable body Changing Young Lives, Careers and Enterprise Company, Youthfed, Higher Horizons, the three local authorities, town councils and schools and colleges.

The Cheshire & Warrington Pledge Partnership is an employment programme which was launched by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership along with North-West charity Youth Fed in 2019. The Pledge puts employers at the heart of inspiring, informing and communicating with the next generation of employees in Cheshire and Warrington. It enables businesses to work together with educators to provide every young person living, studying and/or working in Cheshire and Warrington with everything they need to succeed in the world of work. With the opportunity to develop employability-related skills and personal qualities whilst in education, there is a choice of employment, training or further education when they leave school.

Pledge Locations

•         Chester

•         Crewe

•         Ellesmere Port

•         Macclesfield

•         Nantwich

•         Northwich

•         Winsford

•         Mid Cheshire East

•          Warrington

Pictured - David Rutley MP with Georgina Mills, Pledge Facilitator, at Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.