NOVUS AND BITC CAREERS EVENT CHAMPIONS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

We recently joined forces with the Business in the Community (BITC) North West Leadership Board to host a career skills and guidance session as part of the BITC’s commitment to youth development.

The event, which took place on Tuesday 16th September at Holy Family Roman Catholic and Church of England College in Rochdale, was led by Non-Executive Director at Novus and current chair of the BITC North West Regional Leadership Board, Sophie Seddon-Hall. Aimed at the college’s Year 9 pupils, the main purpose of the session was to equip students and educators with practical tools and skills needed to prepare young people for the modern workplace.

Members of the BITC North West Regional Leadership Board are all senior leaders hailing from some of the region’s most responsible and forward-thinking organisations including Deloitte, Irwin Mitchell, Siemens, NatWest Group and SP Electricity North West.

During the careers event, representatives from each of the 15 organisations on the BITC North West Board shared their own insights into the personal attributes and professional skills they value in their respective workplaces such as communication, time management, integrity, and a strong work ethic. Pupils then had the opportunity to ask questions, gaining valuable perspectives on career journeys and workplace expectations across a range of careers including construction.

Sophie Seddon-Hall, Non-Executive Director at Novus Property Solutions and chair of the BITC North West Regional Leadership Board commented on the event: “It’s inspiring to see our industry come together to support young people at such a pivotal stage in their development. At Novus Property Solutions, we believe that equipping the next generation with the confidence and skills to thrive is not just a responsibility – it’s an investment in our future workforce.”

Alice Young, BITC Regional Lead for North West added: “The Business in the Community (BITC) North West Regional Leadership Board is united by a shared commitment to driving positive change. We’re proud to champion initiatives that support young people in navigating their career paths and developing future-ready skills, which is especially vital in light of recent findings that only 47% of 18- to 24-year-olds feel prepared for the workplace upon leaving education. Events like this are a great way for us to support the next generation to make sure they’ve got the skills they need before they enter the workplace.”

To extend the impact of this initiative, a video capturing key themes and feedback from the session will be shared with other schools and employers interested in supporting youth employability and readiness for work.