[New] Mind The Gap

By James Pink, Director of Development, Pink Connect

For the last couple of years, I have been speaking to young students at school careers days and running workshops on “What’s next”. Held in two local schools, I have been interacting with various year groups about choosing what they want to do in life, what is available as a career path and what it’s like in the “real” world of work.

I have discovered the gap between the school curriculum and what they need to know for work and life is shocking. They see what is missing and are completely inspired by these conversations.

Also, I found 25% of the students don’t even have their own computer, completely robbing them of the familiarity we all need with Microsoft, email, Word, Excel that we all use in our working lives.

To address this, my company, Pink Connect have sourced and refurbished 115 used Laptops and PCs and loaded a fresh installation of Windows 10, so the children that receive them become familiar with a tool they will likely need every day of their lives. These are huge issues that are holding back a whole generation of our children, so me and two likeminded educators, Eva Harrison and Glenn Robinson formed Mind the Gap.

Mind the Gap is a new not for profit organisation and Chamber member delivering funded, inspirational, interactive, and thought-provoking programmes designed to “fill the gaps” in questions such as:

The eternal school leaver question – What do I want to do?

I learned what I learned at school, but what skills will I need entering the world of work.

• Should I stay at school and go to University, College, or get a job?

• Is an Apprenticeship right for me, and if it is, which one?

• Where do I get really useful, relevant advice on careers?

Where can I get support on mental health and my wellbeing?

I am concerned about climate change and see the effects, but what can I do about it?

Our website is now up and running here: https:// www.mindthegap.today/ and we are looking for funding to cover the design cost of £1500 + vat from a single business or three businesses that can contribute £500+ vat each, who want to make a real difference with young people at this critical point of change in their lives.

Happy to discuss ways you and your business can be involved with this life changing project. Do give me a call on: 07799 840240