Council To Host Parents Evening To Help Young People

As youngsters across the Borough take in their A-level results from last week, Basildon Council is encouraging young people to think about vocational training, educational opportunities, and careers.

For the third year in a row, the Council and its partners are arranging the free Your Future Parents’ Evening for 15-19 year olds in the Borough, at the Towngate Theatre on Tuesday 2 October between 6pm – 8pm.

Targeted invites will be distributed to young people including all students who are in Year 11 at school, and young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) and their parents.

Cllr Tony Ball, leader of the council, says: “With A-level results coming out today we want to remind local young people and their parents that there are other options and alternatives to academic courses, such as vocational training.

“This is an ideal event for parents and their children who are unsure about their way forward, or for those youngsters struggling to find employment.

“Traditional study does not suit everybody, and we are committed to ensuring that people do not fall through the net. Vocational learning can be much more beneficial to some young people and this event will help parents and their children to assess their study options, which is more important than ever in these austere times.”

Over the last two years an estimated 1,550 parents and young people have attended the event, helping the young people plan for their futures.

Parents and their children will have the opportunity throughout the evening to chat with businesses, colleges, sixth forms, and training providers to ask questions and get their advice.

A number of local blue chip companies are expected to attend with Barratt Eastern Counties, International Financial Data Services (IFDS), SELEX Galileo and DP World already confirmed. People will have the opportunity to talk to these key employers to find out about different kinds of careers and what they look for in successful candidates.

The event is sponsored by Barratt Eastern Counties and International Financial Data Services (IFDS), and is organised by Basildon Council with the support of the Basildon Business Group, Basildon Action on Learning, and the Basildon Business Education Consortium.

Young people, parents, and businesses from the Basildon Borough that would like further information are urged to email [email protected] using the heading “Your Future”.