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New collaboration in Suffolk will help over 1000 people get skills and support to boost their employment opportunities

News overview

Local councils in Suffolk have joined forces with education providers, charities, and businesses to help over 1000 people get the skills and support they need to support their journeys back into employment.

Launched yesterday, the project called ‘Thrive’ is a partnership led by Suffolk New College which will provide targeted support and opportunities for NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young people and economically inactive adults across Suffolk.

Thrive logo

Suffolk New College will be joined by West Suffolk College, East Coast College, Inspire Suffolk, Lofty Heights, Anglia Care Trust and Access Community Trust.

This innovative programme has been funded by the district councils in Suffolk who have combined their grant allocations from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver this bespoke service.

The programme aims to deliver a high-quality support service that addresses the often complex needs of some of Suffolk’s residents.

Thrive will offer a highly localised and responsive approach, dedicated to helping individuals navigate their unique challenges and access the full spectrum of education, training, and employment opportunities available within the county.

Those who sign up will get advice from progression coaches who will individually assess their needs before creating a tailor-made programme of support that provides robust and continuous assistance towards employment and education goals.

The collaboration between the three major colleges in Suffolk and the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector will ensure that participants benefit from a wealth of expertise and resources.

This partnership aims to secure positive onward pathways into work, further education, and training initially for over 600 young people and over 500 adults.

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, Cabinet Member for Growth at West Suffolk Council, said: “We are thrilled to partner with the district councils to develop Thrive. This programme is a crucial step in empowering residents and supporting sustainable growth across Suffolk, offering the support and opportunities needed to transition individuals from unemployment to meaningful careers and educational pathways. Together, we aim to create thriving communities with lasting positive change for NEET young people and economically inactive adults across Suffolk.”

Alan Pease is the CEO and Principal of Suffolk New College. Alan said: “We are incredibly excited to be leading this project called Thrive with several key partners who are all uniting to help local residents get the skills and support they need to positively progress their futures.

“We are passionate about supporting people of all ages achieve positive outcomes so this project is very close to our hearts.”

For more information about the scheme you can visit: www.suffolk.ac.uk/thrive

Posted 12 June 2024