TWO special events are planned for later this year to help young people make the switch from school to work.

Organised by the Fenland Enterprise in Education (FEE) project, they seek to address issues raised at the Skills Summit held at the Boathouse in Wisbech in March, which highlighted the need to forge closer links between business and education.

Katie Hart, the FEE project manager, said this week: “One of the single biggest issues that businesses consistently face is a lack of awareness among young people of important skills and attributes needed for the workplace.

“Young people have also told us this is a big issue for them. That’s why we’re planning a range of activities to help them.”

The first event, due in September, is aimed at showcasing the range of jobs and training opportunities available locally to young people who do not want to move away from the area.

Ms Hart said: “Employers, training bodies and other local organisations will be on hand to talk to young people about the key employment sectors in Fenland and to give advice and information on the steps they need to get into work.

“The event is to be held in September to coincide with the time that sixth formers will be making important decisions about what they want to do after leaving school.”

For the second event, FEE has teamed up with Fenland’s Youth District Council to plan a workshop for young people covering everything they need to know when applying for jobs. That will also take place during the next academic year.

Poor applications and inappropriate behaviour at interviews were among the problems highlighted by employers at the Skills Summit, which was organised by Fenland District Council, the Fenland Schools Partnership, the Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce and the Cambs Times/Wisbech Standard.

Ms Hart said: “These are basic things we need to tackle. Although students do receive careers advice in schools, many tell us that they would like to know more about how to write a good CV, how to do well in interviews and what employers really expect of them.”

The FEE project has been developed by Fenland District Council, the Fenland Schools Partnership and local business.

For more information, contact Katie Hart on 07891 308050 or visit www.fee-project.co.uk