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Inspirational employee volunteers have received official recognition for their efforts to enthuse young people about the wealth of opportunities awaiting them in the world of work.
The North East Education Business Partnerships (EBPs) hosted ‘A Celebration of the Business Ambassador Programme’ at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Arts in Gateshead in recognition of the success of the Regional Business Ambassador programme.
The Regional Business Ambassador Programme, has been supported by One North East with funding of £1.4m since 2002 with the involvement of Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, Sunderland and Tees Valley EBP’s.
Individuals and businesses were recognised for giving their time as employee volunteers to help inspire young people’s work-related learning in schools across the North East, helping raise their aspirations and attainment levels.
There are currently 650 North East business ambassadors, (BAs) or employee volunteers, with the programme having trained over 1,200 BAs and reached 85,000 young people across the region.
The celebration event was held to recognise the contribution of Business Ambassadors such as Susie Hodgson, an accountant at Procter & Gamble Global Business Services, Cobalt Park, North Tyneside, who received an award for her work leading teams of Business Ambassadors at Woodlawn Special School in Monkseaton.
Her contact with the school began with a Procter & Gamble Community Matters project to build a sensory garden for the pupils which saw Susie leading a team of eight company BAs delivering a maths programme to Key Stage 3 pupils on two occasions.
She also led a team to develop and deliver a 'bespoke enterprise programme’ for a group of students which ended with youngsters visiting Procter & Gamble. She has also demonstrated further personal commitment to the project by becoming a governor of the school.
Business Ambassadors who received awards were:
• Durham EBP Margaret Brown, Victim Support Counsellor
• Gateshead EBP Julie Hewitson, Morrison Facility Services
• Newcastle EBP Steve Boon, Newcastle City Council
• Northumberland EBP Tony Kirsop, Northumberland County Council - Social Enterprise
• North Tyneside EBP Susie Hodgson, Procter & Gamble
• South Tyneside EBP Norman Kaier, South Tyneside Homes
• Sunderland EBP Kevin Burdis, Gentoo
• Tees Valley EBP Wendy Brown, HM Court Service
Guest speaker for the night was Jane Atkinson, North East Chair of the Diploma Champions Network and vice-president utilities at SembCorp UK.
Jane emphasised the vital support that employers can give to ensure that new diploma qualifications are a success, and provided information on how Business Ambassadors could take this message back to their employers. Jane Ritchie, Business Ambassadors Programme Manager, presented the history of the BA Programme and was herself presented with an award for her contribution to the programme over the last 15 years.
Margaret Fay, Chairman of One North East, who presented the awards, said: “The aim of the programme is to raise awareness of career opportunities available to young people and to help them prepare for the world of work.
”The Business Ambassadors’ volunteer work is invaluable as they offer their expertise and time to help people carve a successful future for themselves.
“Hundreds of young people who are the future of this region have been inspired by talented people from the best of our regional businesses and organisations, large and small. One North East has backed this programme as we recognise that the skills and qualifications of young people are key for the long-term performance of the regional economy.
“Ultimately, the programme’s success comes down to the volunteers and I would like to thank them for their wonderful contributions.”
Anne Gibbs, Manager of Durham EBP, added: “The awards are a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the fantastic success of the programme and thank the business ambassadors and guests for their outstanding contributions. Many young people have benefited from working with the ambassadors and have been inspired by the programme.
Aspiring Business Ambassadors and employers who wish to get involved with the programme should contact Ann McDonnell, Durham EBP, on Tel: 01325 375903.
Employers seeking more information on how Diplomas can benefit their business should visit www.diplomachampions.co.uk
Ends
For other photos or further information please contact Alison Laggan at One North East press office on (0191) 229 6613, mobile 07766 424400 or email alison.laggan@onenortheast.co.uk
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