Message from Katharine

I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at the EPN Members Meeting next Wednesday 8^th July, 9.30am 🙂
Please find the final agenda HERE with the Zoom link included. The meeting features updates from Rupert Crossland (PAL), DWP, Colchester Institute Clean Energy TEC and ECC Targeted Employment Team!

It is with sadness that I update you all that on 22nd July, Amanda Rawlings will be moving on from Essex ACL and has therefore resigned from her post on the EPN committee. Amanda has given her time over the years to make such valuable contributions to the network, both as part of the committee and as a dedicated EPN member. She will be greatly missed, and I’m sure you will all join with me in wishing her every success as she moves from ACL to join the Essex Transport Team. Thank you, Amanda, and all the best… don’t be a stranger (though as your email address isn’t changing, you’ll struggle to become one from me at least!) 😉

We will, of course, be looking to replace her role on the committee representing Adult Learning Provision and will formally seek applicants in due course. If this is something you might like to consider, please feel free to ask me or any of our committee members any questions. We are a very approachable bunch, as you should know by now.

I’m wishing all ITP members who applied for Wave 7 Bootcamp provision the best of luck for positive outcome letters, which I understand will be going out next week 🤞

Having had a busy week of conversations around reducing the NEET numbers in Essex, I’m glad to feature some great opportunities below for members to get involved with, which align with this agenda.

Get Sorted Events for 16-25 year olds
ECC are hosting a series of targeted engagement events across Essex. Bringing together young people aged 16–25 who are exploring their next steps following GCSEs/A-Levels, etc or who may currently be NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) and are looking for providers to support. By attending as an exhibitor, you’ll have the opportunity to engage directly with young people who could benefit from your services, programmes, or opportunities, and play a key role in shaping their future direction. Refreshments will be provided.

Get Sorted Basildon is in conjunction with our colleagues at Pathways, part of Basildon Borough Council:

• 27^th August 11-2pm venue TBC

Get Sorted Colchester:

• 7^th September 10,30-2pm at Colchester Town house -39-42 East Stockwell Street, Colchester, CO1 1SS

If you’d like to attend, please email apprenticeship.hub@essex.gov.uk letting them know which event you’d like to come to.

JOY Maker Volunteer Opportunity and Readiness to Work programme – Grand Départ 2027 
An exciting opportunity has been launched in line with the Grand Départ GB 2027 for young people through the JOY Makers Volunteer Programme.

Becoming a JOY Maker is an opportunity for anyone aged over 16 with 10 different volunteer roles available to get involved and volunteer at the world’s most famous bike race: Tour De France!

Applications are open until the 1st of September; more details can be found: Become a JOY Maker! | Grand Départ GB 2027

As part of JOY Makers,  young people aged 18-25 are being offered an opportunity to join the Readiness to Work programme: an employability programme combining core employability skills training and sector-specific mentoring, alongside their day of volunteering. This offer is free and designed to support young people to develop key skills, gain meaningful experience, and take the next steps towards employment.

Here is the website for more details and how to apply: Readiness to Work | Grand Départ GB 2027

Please share the opportunity with your own students, feeder schools and wider youth communities!

NCFE June Content Roundup
NCFE are pleased to share their June content round‑up,  pulling together a range of useful and thought‑provoking articles, insights, and updates that they hope you’ll find valuable.
👉 You can explore the full round‑up here: June-26-content-round-up.pdf
What’s inside this month:

• Post-16 reforms – be part of the solution
• 6 key takeaways from the post-16 reforms implementation plan
• Why learner momentum matters, and how stepping-stone qualifications can help
• Opening up pathways: what NCFE data tells us about VTQs and progression to higher education
• Building trauma-informed practice across education and the workforce

Young Carers Alliance Bulletin
The Young Carers Alliance are keen to share its Young Carers Alliance Bulletin, including:

• Department for Education focus group with professionals working with young carers on screen time/social media
• Young Carers Comic
• Young Minds Activist Programme – Applications Open
• National Teddy Bears Picnic Day
• Young Carers Animation
• Resource: Safeguarding Children Not In School
• Sutton Trust Online – Applications Open
• Summer Savings for Families
• Electoral Commission and The Politics Project Pilot Scheme

Innovation Grant Mentoring Programme
The Essex Growth Agency are excited to announce that the Innovation Grant Mentoring programme’s new website is now LIVE! 🔗Innovation Grant Mentoring

This is phase one, a landing page, which focuses on providing key information about the programme alongside a dedicated contact and enquiry form.

Phase two is currently in development and will be published over the upcoming weeks, introducing additional pages covering case studies, events and resources.

For your reference, please also see the new Innovation Grant Mentoring programme overview document. This has been designed to support stakeholders in discussing the programme with prospective clients and can be shared with businesses.

EGA Weekly Funding Bulletin
Last week’s bulletin highlights a range of funding opportunities spanning creative industries, innovation and R&D, business growth, education and skills, and social impact. View bulletin here.

Have a great weekend.
Kx

Youth Jobs Grant

The £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant launched on Tuesday 30th June. Supporting employers in recruiting young people aged 18–24 who have been out of work for six months or more. Encouraging businesses to invest in local talent and support young people. Please share the Youth Jobs Grant flyer here with local employers (particularly SMEs).

Strategy for a Changing Skills Landscape

The skills system continues to evolve, with shifting government priorities, devolution and changing employer needs creating new challenges and opportunities. AELP’s new three-year strategy sets out how it will champion high-quality work-based learning, focusing on shaping a high-performing skills system, strengthening providers’ voices and building a stronger, more resilient organisation. Read more here.

ECP

ECP Safeguarding is hosting a FREE 25-minute webinar on Monday 6th July and Thursday 9th July. Offering clear, practical guidance, from creating defensible records to separating fact, observation and opinion. Designed for busy professionals, it supports safer practice for children, adults, staff and organisations. To register, please click here.

Parent & Carer ATE Guides

Explore a two-page guide on apprenticeships, HTQs and T Levels.  The guides have been created for parents and carers to learn more about apprenticeships, T Levels and HTQs. Explore the key facts, structure, applications, what to consider and additional support. Please share this with your networks. Please click here to explore.

Finding an Apprenticeship

Support students searching for apprenticeship opportunities by sharing the ‘Rapid Read: Finding Apprenticeship Vacancies’ guide. This practical resource highlights the different ways learners can identify and apply for apprenticeship vacancies, helping them navigate the recruitment process. Please click here to explore.