The College of West Anglia (CWA) is supporting the 3% Club, which brings together employers, education providers and community organisations to improve social mobility and expand access to education, skills and employment across the East of England. The partnership complements CWA’s wider work on employability, employer engagement and real-world learning.
The 3% Club is a regional initiative led by Sam Squire, CEO of Inspire 2 Ignite, and Alex Hughes, its founder and chair. It unites employers, education providers and community organisations to improve social mobility and create opportunities for young people across the East of England.
Following the recent 3% Club Autumn Circle Up event, attended by representatives from across the region, CWA is engaging with partners committed to helping young people and under-represented communities’ access:
- Education and skills development
• Mentoring and career guidance
• Employment and work-related opportunities
Participating organisations are being encouraged to collaborate through a shared memorandum of understanding, focused on collective action over the next 12 months. CWA’s involvement also builds on its work with Youth Employment UK to promote employability, youth voice and career readiness, and its support for the Edge Foundation’s vision of real-world learning and stronger links between education and employment.
Sarah Anstiss, Head of Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning at CWA, said,“The 3% Club shows what can be achieved when employers, educators and communities unite behind a shared purpose. By working across sectors, we can remove barriers, raise aspirations and give more young people access to the skills, experiences and opportunities they need to succeed.
“At CWA, we are committed to creating clear pathways into further education, training and employment. Working with initiatives such as the 3% Club supports our ambition to help every learner fulfil their potential and progress into a meaningful career.”
As one of the region’s largest providers of technical, vocational and apprenticeship education, CWA partners with employers and community organisations to support economic growth and social inclusion across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and beyond.
Through the 3% Club, the College will help more young people build confidence and access pathways to positive futures.