Published: Wednesday, 27th March 2024
From 1st April, the Boost project supporting young people is expanding its reach across the whole district.
16-30 year olds in West Norfolk are being offered the opportunity to get the skills they need for the futures.
The Boost project, run by Norfolk County Council, has been helping young people in King’s Lynn into training and employment as part of the King’s Lynn Town Deal project, funded by the Towns Fund.
Now, thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Funding of £147,049, young people across West Norfolk will be able to access the project’s services which include employment support, advice, and training, working alongside the West Norfolk Training Grants scheme.
The Boost project team will be working with two different cohorts of young people - 16-30-year- olds in employment and looking to gain new skills, and young people aged 16-30 who are out of work and looking for employment.
Open to young people living, working, or studying in west Norfolk, the Boost project builds on its previous success which saw the team work with more than 500 15-30 year olds in King’s Lynn to gain skills, knowledge, and advice.
The project team will also be working with employers in West Norfolk, providing grants to businesses to help train employees aged 16-30, so that they can gain new skills and consolidate their experience into qualifications that they may not have.
Louisa Kiddell, Skills Partnership Project Manager from Norfolk County Council explained:
“We are thrilled to now be able to offer Boost’s services to young people across the whole of West Norfolk, allowing us to work with 16-30 year olds so that they can get new skills, build their confidence, access opportunities, and fulfil their ambitions.
“We have seen the impact that the Boost project has made in King’s Lynn where we’ve been able to support more than 300 young people to begin an activity, get employability support, take part in training, or start a new job.
“We’re also looking forward to working with employers across West Norfolk, helping to upskill young people in their workforce, and tap into the expertise and experience of businesses to support young people.
“I would urge anyone who is interested in finding out more about the difference that Boost can make – a young person or an employer in West Norfolk – to please get in touch.”
The type of support offered to young people could include activities such as digital and cyber security training, construction CSCS cards, and work experience. Training, such as management, forklift, and digital programmes, are just some of the programmes that could be provided to those in employment.
As well as working with businesses to upskill staff, the Boost team is also looking for West Norfolk employers to help young people by giving a career talk, tour of the business or work experience.
Councillor Terry Parish, Leader of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and Lead Member for Skills said: “The expansion of the Boost project offers a fantastic opportunity for young people in west Norfolk to get the skills and support they need.
“The Cabinet decided to commit to the project’s continuation and expansion through UK Shared Prosperity Funding because by extending the project across west Norfolk, we can maximise Boost’s reach to benefit residents across the borough.
“Boost reflects the UK Shared Prosperity Funding objectives for West Norfolk, to build pride in place, facilitate high quality skills training, support pay, employment, and productivity growth, and increase life chances.
“Whether in employment or out of work, through Boost, young people can get targeted support that will assist them to progress in the direction they want in employment, education, or volunteering.
“The project will also create connections with employers in west Norfolk, allowing businesses to upskill and develop their staff.
“Boost has already benefited a large number of young people working, studying, and living in King’s Lynn, and I look forward to seeing the difference the project will make to young people across west Norfolk in the coming year.”
*If you are a young person or an employer in West Norfolk that would like to find out more about how Boost can help, please get in touch - boost@norfolk.gov.uk