Thanks to the collaboration taking place in Barnsley, thousands of students have had inspiring experiences with local businesses.  

The figures highlight the success of working together with schools, businesses and our skills and employability team.  

In the first academic term, they worked together to hold nine events and activities with schools and colleges. 66 large employers took part along with seven small-to-medium-sized businesses. Thanks to 134 volunteers, a whopping 701 hours were committed to delivering these engagements.  

Some of the highlights included:  

• The ‘We Care Into The Future’ event at the Metrodome where over 500 students learned about working in health and care 
• A trip down memory lane as an award-winning local entrepreneur inspires students at his old secondary school  
• A visit from CSgt Mike Beaton MBE that explores the opportunities of working in the Royal Marines and the Royal Navy 
• Mock interviews and support for students with SEND from a Barnsley-based business that specialises in handcrafting sustainable, high-quality fine art photograph albums for professional photographers 
• A visit from Barnsley Council staff to showcase the wide range of jobs and professions at Darton Academy's careers fair. The teams also helped students during mock interviews at Penistone Grammar School.  

Councillor Robin Franklin, Barnsley Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “It’s wonderful to hear how many young people have benefitted from meaningful engagement with businesses in the first academic year. These opportunities to hear from businesses in the community and the people that contribute their skills and knowledge is incredibly important.  

I’d like to share a huge congratulations to the team, council staff, businesses and schools that worked together to make this possible. We can’t wait to see what you achieve in the next academic term.” 

To learn more about local support to improve your skills and employability, visit barnsley.gov.uk/SkillsAndEmployability to get in touch with the team. 

If your school or business is interested in finding out more about future opportunities, please email SandraPower@barnsley.gov.uk.