Hertfordshire Opportunities is an employer-led programme delivered by Services for Young People (SfYP) in partnership with the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The programme helps employers to develop their workforce through an LEP-led ‘Workforce Development Plan’. As part of this plan, employers receive support from Services for Young People to improve their engagement with local schools and colleges, creating opportunities for young people to gain the knowledge and skills needed by Hertfordshire businesses and industries so they can secure jobs close to home.
Services for Young People linked Ashbourne Insurance in Hoddesdon to a local school and offered a bespoke one-week work experience placement to Keira. The placement gave Keira an insight into the world of work and enabled her to learn many valuable skills. She helped with administrative tasks, daily banking and post, but mainly shadowed various members of staff to get a greater understanding of the role and work of an insurance broker. She was able to observe customer interactions and used the internal systems and procedures to source insurance solutions and present them to customers.
Keira with Ashbourne Insurance Managing Director, Peter Smits, learning about the company
Peter Smits, Managing Director at Ashbourne Insurance, said:
“Having struggled to attract new employees over the past 12 months, it was really beneficial to hear from Keira about her perception of the insurance industry. We have consequently adapted our recruitment process to highlight elements that a potential ‘junior’ might find more attractive.”
Find out more about the programme here: Hertfordshire Opportunities
Find out about other opportunities for employers to engage with young people in education and how Services for Young People can support this here: Support for Hertfordshire employers.
Hertfordshire Opportunities is part funded by the European Social Fund.