Preston College and DWP Partner to Launch Innovative Youth Hub Initiative
Preston Youth Hub, a joint initiative between Preston College and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be officially launched on Friday 12th November, providing a gateway for young people in the Preston area to access a range of support services to help them move into employment.
Working in partnership, Preston College has developed an inviting and engaging space for the Youth Hub, enabling young people to access support both locally and in an environment that is typically more familiar and relaxed. Aiming to provide an alternative environment away from the Job Centre, seeking to enhance engagement with young people, the Youth Hub incorporates Work Coach activity, with support offered from the Preston College Adult Recruitment and Employer Engagement Teams at key touch points throughout the programme.
Operating for five days per week, with referrals made via Jobcentre Plus, the Youth Hub brings together a range of local and national partners, including Active Lancashire, Lancashire Mind, Prince’s Trust and National Careers Service to provide access to a variety of financial, health and wellbeing services, alongside work placement and employment searching opportunities.
Preston College Principal and Chief Executive, Louise Doswell said:
“Preston College has a long-standing partnership with the DWP, assisting with the provision of relevant training to support progression into employment for those that have not previously had the opportunity to develop their skills to secure work.
As a local college, we are dedicated to supporting our community, with young people at the very heart of what we do. Working in conjunction with the DWP and key partners, the Youth Hub allows us to support the cities young people, who have no doubt felt the devastating effects of the pandemic, to gain confidence and skills to progress into to employment.”
Helen Smith, Preston, Leyland and Chorley Partnership Manager at DWP added:
“We are delighted to be launching the Preston Youth Hub, a facility which will allow us to work collaboratively with a range of partners to help inspire the young people of Preston and support them on their career journeys. The Hub allows us to support young people in a more informal, relaxed setting as we work collaborative to remove barriers and support the workforce of the future.”
As part of the Youth Hub Launch, taking place at Preston College on Friday 12th November 2021 from 11:00am to 1:00pm, guest will be able to take a tour of the Youth Hub and wider college campus, before hearing from partners about the support services available via the Hub. Former and current customers, who have been supported on their career journeys by Youth Hub work coaches, will also share their inspirational stories.
