A new skills hub has been set up in Buckinghamshire to help connect young people to employers.

The Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP) has secured £150k from the Careers and Enterprise Company to deliver a skills and employability programme to schools, young people and parents.

The new hub will form the local base for the Careers and Enterprise Company’s (CEC) national Enterprise Advisers programme.

Mary Tyler, Programme Director at the Careers and Enterprise Company, said: “The Careers & Enterprise Company is focused on inspiring young people and helping them understand the relevance of their education.

“A key element is bridging the gap between young people and employers.

“The new Skills Hub being set up in Buckinghamshire will be highly instrumental in helping local businesses reach students and help prepare them for the fast-changing world of work.”

A key element of the hub is online with a new website – www.oppsinbucks.org – being launched which connects employers to educators in a similar way that other sites connect buyers and sellers.

Employers are able to register and give details of what they can offer in terms of resources, mentoring, work experience, part-time work or apprenticeships, and educators can respond to offers or post specific requests for support.

The new Buckinghamshire Skills and Employability Programme is directed by an employer-led board whose members include GE Healthcare, Mix 96, Clarks of Amersham, Medical Supermarket, Health Education Thames Valley and Pinewood.

Ruth Farwell, Skills Strategy Manager, said: “We are delighted to put in place a strong skills board to ensure we provide a broad and robust skills and training offer to grow the economy in Bucks.

“The establishment of the board and reinforces our reputation as leaders in this area of work, making a difference to young people’s employability while addressing the needs of employers.”

Nick Coleman, Director and Co-Founder of Medical Supermarket and the Snaffling Pig Co, said: “As an employer myself within the region, it’s important that there is a consistent flow of passionate young people eager to start their careers.

“I’m proud that Buckinghamshire is known as the entrepreneurial heart of Britain, but we need a workforce of young people ready to pick up the baton and continue that success to date.

“My role on the Skills Board is to help schools strengthen the key skills young people need when starting out their careers, and to encourage businesses across the region do their bit to ensure a stronger future for us all.”