Camden employers back our 21st Century Talent Pledge
Thirty-one Camden employers have signed a 21st Century Talent Pledge to help give local young people access to the very best opportunities that the borough has to offer.
World-renowned institutions and companies here in Camden have the power to inspire and support our young people to aim high and forge exciting careers.
That’s why we have launched a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) programme to link employers with schools and further education colleges. The programme will create the best opportunities for all our young people, by developing the skills that will help them to access the work that is right for them in the future.
During an event at the Francis Crick Institute, in King's Cross, on Tuesday (18 September), businesses and institutions were urged to sign up to our STEAM 21st Century Talent Pledge. Young people from UCL Academy, Regent High School and the Ted Baker Camden Challenge summer project helped sign up employers to the pledge and spoke to a packed lecture theatre of about 150 guests from schools, businesses, the council and local institutions.
Employers who sign up to the pledge will:
- Volunteer at least one STEAM Ambassador to work with schools and young people to develop the STEAM curriculum and enhance careers education by speaking in schools or offering masterclasses to teachers, governors or young people. STEAM Ambassadors support schools with one or more activity each year from a wide selection of opportunities, such as delivering activities in lessons or after-school clubs, giving careers talks, sharing their expertise through masterclasses, or supporting young people with mock interviews and CV writing
- Welcome and inspire the workforce of the future through two other enrichment activities from a menu of opportunities – examples include workplace visits, mentoring, work experience, apprenticeships, paid internships, delivering a business challenge for young people, or developing a bespoke project.
We also encourage businesses to employ Camden residents through paid internships or apprenticeships. Employers can sign up to the pledge on our website, where they can also find out more about the STEAM Commission.
Dinah Caine, Chair of the Camden STEAM Commission, said: “Our STEAM programme aims to promote Camden’s successful creative and knowledge economy and to ensure our businesses continue to succeed by having access to diverse, young, local talent. For this to happen, it’s vital that today’s local young people and subsequent generations have STEAM embedded into their education, their out-of-school activities, their careers advice and work placement opportunities, working in close partnership with business, education, young people and the council.”
Lindsley Ruth, CEO of RS Components and STEAM Commission Business Lead, said: "As businesses, we have the power to change young people's lives by inspiring and educating them. Whether a small enterprise or a large multinational, I call on all Camden employers to make our 21st century economy accessible to local young people, whilst developing a diverse talent pipeline and addressing the skills shortage. The 21st Century Talent Pledge enables businesses to focus our efforts in a coherent and impactful way."
World-renowned institutions and companies here in Camden are helping to inspire and support our young people to aim high and forge exciting careers. Our STEAM programme’s ambition is to link businesses strongly with schools and further education colleges to help deliver the 21st century talent they need and, in so doing, to guarantee the best opportunities and futures for all our young people.
