Chloe Smith MP welcomes Norfolk representatives to the APPG for Youth Employment

Chloe Smith, Member of Parliament for Norwich North, yesterday welcomed representatives from Norfolk to Parliament for a discussion on careers education.

 

To the packed meeting, Chloe welcomed Caroline Williams, CEO of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and Lloyd Ross, a Norwich North constituent in his third year of university. As well as being a former volunteer in Chloe’s Westminster office, Lloyd is also currently undertaking a work placement with Youth Employment UK (YEUK).

 

YEUK is the leading campaigning and membership organisation dedicated to tackling youth unemployment in the UK.

 

Yesterday’s meeting focused on providing solid careers advice to young people. Alongside MPs and external organisations, the meeting also be attended by a number of young people who shared their experiences of careers advice and their priorities going forwards. The theme of this meeting will be continued on Friday, when Chloe will be attending the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce’s ‘An Audience with Norfolk Schools’ conference. Chloe will be attending in her capacity as founder and chair of the Norwich For Jobs project, of which the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is a pledged employer and Caroline Williams, CEO of the Norfolk Chamber is a Steering Group Member. The conference will be focusing on bridging the gap between education and business.

 

Chloe, who is chairperson for the APPG for Youth Employment, commented: "We had an excellent discussion about careers education, focusing on how to bring schools, students, businesses and local and national organisations closer together. The APPG is holding a full season of seminars on the in depth issues affecting youth employment, sharing great ideas from across the country and listening to young people themselves. For me, leading this enthusiastic group is the next step after founding the Norwich for Jobs project and I was proud to have Norfolk participation in Parliament yesterday."

 

Caroline Williams, CEO of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce commented: “Yesterday confirmed the direction that Norfolk is taking relating to careers advice to our young people is along the right lines. The meeting was in agreement what needed to be done, it is the ‘how’ which is so challenging. However that makes the Chamber even more determined to work with the schools to really make a difference.  Our event on Friday when we will hear from 8 schools will be a great start.  The motivation of Norfolk’s future workforce is our hands and we need to get this right”