North Hertfordshire College has launched a new campaign ‘NHC Support Young People’ which aims to support young people through education into rewarding employment. NHC wants local employers to pledge their support by signing up and offering work-related opportunities including apprenticeships, work experience, work placement, research projects, or setting up a student-run commercial enterprise.

With youth unemployment reaching over one million, NHC is committed to developing the talents of our young people and giving the work skills needed for employment. Participating businesses will also benefit, with the increased productivity provided by the energy, enthusiasm and creativity of the young people. The campaign also gives businesses the capacity to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

To recognise the commitment given NHC will nominate ALL employers who provide work-related opportunities for the new ‘Supporting Young People’ award at the annual Hertfordshire Business Awards as well as featuring the companies’ case studies on the campaign website.

For example, some students are being employed by Shine, a Valeting Centre at our Hitchin campus – this is a student-run venture. The students are being employed by Shine, and work for up to 10 hours a week. The venture is now expanding into further sites in Stevenage.