Empowering Young Minds
2024 saw the start of a fantastic project to connect the students, primary and secondary, of the DN21 schools with a range of employers to raise aspirations and introduce career options early. Help build dreams “What can I be when I grow up”.
Through a collaboration between the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Careers Hub, Lincolnshire County Council, STEM Ambassadors, and West Lindsey District Council, around 3,000 school students across Gainsborough’s primary and secondary attended three career-focused assemblies in 2024, and or had employer workshops.
“This collaboration has been great to be a part of – it’s been fantastic to see our network embrace working predominantly with primary schools.
The aspirational assemblies initiative enhances our work with primary schools through our Start Small; Dream Big programme. Huge thanks to West Lindsey District Council for taking the lead on co-ordinating the activity.” – Alex Nightingale from the LEP’s Careers Hub
The project built on the Department for Education’s ‘Start Small; Dream Big’ National programme to promote more careers knowledge into primary schools.
27 local employers have engaged students within 15 primaries, 2 secondary schools from ages 5 to 18, in May, July and October of 2024.
Alongside this several workshops style sessions have taken place with the Army, Navy, UKAEE, Gelders.
“The partnership aims to inspire young minds and introduce students to potential career paths in construction, while promoting creativity, teamwork, and hands-on learning. It’s rewarding to see the pupils’ enthusiasm as they engage in these creative activities and learn more about what we do.” – Louisa Sharpe, Operations Director at Gelder Group
The aim is continue this programme in March, May, July and October 2025. A year which will also see several STEM supported projects planned, that we aim to share news of here as they rollout. Watch this space!
“We are absolutely delighted to support Greater Lincolnshire’s Career and Enterprise Company. Working collaboratively on aspirational assemblies and the Start Small; Dream Big initiative as part of the Gainsborough Aspirational Project will not only herald a unique approach to tackling embedded local issues but also drive forward multiple interconnected agendas for the benefit of the community. “We are committed to inspiring young minds and fostering a passion for STEM subjects. Together, we are helping to shape a brighter future for our community and look forward to further partnership working.” – Jacqui Elton from the STEM Ambassador Partnership
Leaders from the partnership are excited about the initiative’s potential to inspire Gainsborough’s youth, challenge job stereotypes, and build a strong community-business-education link for future growth.
“The timing of the Gainsborough Aspiration Project and Start Small; Dream Big provided the perfect platform to fulfil a dream I’ve held to inspire children within one of our most vulnerable areas of the district, inspiring young minds to help create a better future. West Lindsey District Council is playing an enabling role in this successful partnership and I am really excited to see where this successful beginning in 2024 can take us.” – Shayleen Towns from West Lindsey District Council
List of employers who have supported the aspirational assemblies so far
- STEP programme
- NHC College
- AMP Rose
- Trinity Foundation
- Inzpire
- ACIS
- Gelders
- Connexions
- Everyone Active
- English Heritage
- Morgan Sindall
- SRC UK
- Steve Dixon
- LEAD Teaching School
- Andy Wilson Financial Services
- North Lindsey College
- University of Lincoln
- Ladies in Pigs
- NHS
- Codal
- NHS Project Choice
- eComOne
- Bishop Grosseteste University
- WLDC
- RAF Defence Equipment & Support
- Army
- Navy