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Launch of HotSW Careers Hub and Enterprise Advisor Network

 

The launch event for the Heart of the South West Careers Hub and Enterprise Advisor Network took place on Thursday 17 January at Sandy Park, Exeter.

The HotSW Careers Hub is one of 20 Careers Hubs across the country, established in collaboration with the Careers and Enterprise Company to help transform careers education for young people by providing them with high-quality and impartial careers information, advice and guidance.

The HotSW Careers Hub hosts the already well-established Enterprise Advisor Network (EAN). Careers Hubs are a central part of the government’s Careers Strategy, published in December 2017. They are set up to help young people take up the relevant education and training choices that will enable them to follow rewarding careers in high value sectors that match their aspirations and abilities.

The HotSW Careers Hub is a partnership between the HotSW Local Enterprise Partnership; local authorities across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay, the Careers and Enterprise Company; 40 local schools, colleges and FE establishments; and local and national employers in the public, private & social enterprise sectors.

By August 2020, through the EAN, the HotSW Careers Hub aims to engage with 118 schools, colleges and FE institutes. The hub will work closely with businesses to develop a workforce equipped with the right skills required by local businesses that are needed to deliver their growth ambitions and raise productivity.

Over 100 delegates attended the launch with keynote speeches from Claudia Harris, CEO, Careers and Enterprise Company; Fiona McMillan,  HotSW LEP Board Member; Stephen Criddle, Chair of the Careers Hub & EAN Steering Group and Principal of South Devon College; Jo Fellows HR Strategy Manager, Devon County Council; Jake McClure Executive Director, Strategy, City & Guilds; Charlotte Collyer, Digital Skills Partnership Manager, HotSW LEP.

Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP, Steve Hindley CBE DL said: “I am very pleased to see this new service launched in the Heart of the South West. Enabling our local young people to secure rewarding and fulfilling careers is a central goal for the LEP.

“Moreover, the provision of good quality careers advice helps our local businesses too, by showing what choices of careers are available so that students can take up the right training required by employers.

“The hub will empower young people to achieve their ambitions and help raise productivity, growth and business confidence.”

Claudia Harris, CEO, Careers and Enterprise Company said:

“I am delighted to launch the Heart of the South West Careers Hub. The Careers & Enterprise Company will be working closely with the Heart of the South West LEP to ensure the new Careers Hub is a real catalyst in bringing together the fragmented landscape of careers and enterprise, supporting programmes that work and filling gaps in skills provision.”

Stephen Criddle, Chair of the Careers Hub & EAN Steering Group and Principal of South Devon College said:

“People in this partnership have a real passion for making a difference to young people’s careers advice and guidance. The LEP has a clear plan to raise the game in this area; which is underpinned by raising productivity and skills. Our role in this partnership is to prepare young people for the rapidly changing world and new exciting careers opportunities.”

 

 

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      David Ralph

      Chief Executive

      David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.

      Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.

      David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.