Swarm and Orbit East partner to launch Swarm Futures

Swarm Apprenticeships and Orbit East are partnering to launch an exciting and unique new youth programme, giving almost 100 young people the chance to gain valuable training and employment opportunities.

Swarm Futures will be working with young people to build up their skills to ultimately provide opportunities through Enterprise Apprenticeships with local companies across Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Ipswich and Lowestoft. This initiative complements other programmes such as Norwich for Jobs.

Orbit East; part of Orbit Group which manages 38,000 homes nationally is estimated to have over 260 of Orbit’s young tenants at risk of not being in education, employment or training. This programme will provide the stepping stone for these people to move into fulfilling careers within the region.

Swarm Futures will involve training workshops and a post training support programme aimed at enhancing the younger generation’s employment, life and enterprise skills and helping them to identify relevant local opportunities. This will increase the chances of their applications being noticed and help them promote themselves well at interview.

Chris Perry, Managing Director of Swarm said, “We are really pleased to be able to work with Orbit East to create this innovative pre-employment support that combines our experience in recruiting apprentices for organisations across the region and our business and enterprise training to give young people a real chance to stand out from the crowd.” He goes on to say

“From my previous professional experience working at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, I have been able to work with hundreds of employers in regards to investing in young people. During this time it was generally agreed that when recruiting for new employees they might shortlist on the basis of qualifications, but it is attitude, enthusiasm and applicable commercial awareness that gets young people noticed and ultimately a job. This is where I believe this programme will excel, making sure that young people participating in the programme appear on shortlists, confident and ready for interview.”

Sam Scharf, Head of Community Investment said: “We are excited to be working with Swarm, who clearly understand both the needs and desires of young people and of local businesses across the East. This will provide unique opportunities for young people across our communities to work in really meaningful roles, developing enterprise skills in local businesses they probably already know”.

To find out more or come along to the open events then you can find details on our website www.swarmfutures.org.uk