President’s Column

Careers and Apprenticeship Show

Thursday 17 March 2022 | 9.00am – 3.00pm and 4.00pm – 7.00pm

Dorset employers are committed to providing excellence in terms of training and investment for our future workforce.This event allows YOU to gain access to students across all schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole aged 15-19 who are investing in their future careers.

This event will see BCP 0-19 Team in Education, the Dorset LEP, Dorset Careers’ Hub, Dorset Chamber and major businesses and training providers promote the exciting careers, education and training opportunities for young people in BCP and Dorset. We are delighted that Superior Seals Ltd are our key sponsor for 2022.

Thousands of school pupils will attend during the day with hundreds more signing up for the evening sessions that parents are also invited to. Bookings have gone live to schools and we have had an overwhelming interest from schools across BCP Council to attend.

Councillor Nicola Greene, Portfolio Holder for Council Priorities and Delivery said:

“The Careers and Apprenticeships Show is an excellent chance for young people in our community to learn more about the wide range of opportunities which are available for them in the Dorset area.

“Teams from BCP Council will be onsite to give students and parents more information on careers, education and training resources. The last time that this event was run, we found that there was a 3% increase in interest in apprenticeships.

“We would like to thank Superior Seals, the Dorset Chamber and all of our partners for their support in helping us bring this event to life. As part of our Brighter Futures strategy, we will continue to encourage young people to make educated decisions about their future, encouraging them to meet their full potential.” As an employer the benefits are: • Direct access to students, teachers, parents and careers • Opportunities to talk face to face with students, parents and careers advisors • One large event as opposed to lots of small school events • Networking with other sector and same sector organisations We welcome all employers to exhibit if you offer apprenticeship opportunities.

To book your stand: www.dorsetchamber.co.uk/careersapprenticeship-show-2022 Further information: www. careersandapprenticeshipshow.co.uk Should you have any questions email: careersandapprenticeshipshow@ bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Presidents Column

by Caron Khan

While the beneficial effects of culture on mental well-being is well known, the social and economic impacts of a welldeveloped cultural and creative sector are also powerful.

Like many businesses, the venue-based sectors - such as museums, performing arts, live music, festivals, cinema etc - have been hit hard by lockdown and the social distancing measures of the pandemic.

Similarly, artists, technical and specialist freelancers and independent creative organisations who are a critical part of the cultural and creative supply chain, have also experienced considerable hardship.

But a report commissioned by the Arts Council of England found that the sector’s Gross Value Added (GVA)* could return to its pre-lockdown level of £13.5bn by the end of 2022.

The research also shows the sector is set to be worth £15.2 billion to the economy by 2025.

So, how can the cultural sector help Dorset’s recovery?

Culture helps to attract visitors to the county, providing opportunities to explore and discover more about Dorset as a destination.

The BCP Council is supporting our neighbouring City, Southampton’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2025. The example of cities that have had this status – such as Hull – demonstrates that winning UK City of Culture can really boost the local economy, in the short term and longer term by attracting new businesses and investment opportunities across the region.

When Hull was UK City of Culture in 2017, it added £300 million to their tourism market and up to £17 million gross value added to their local economy.

The bid for Southampton to become UK City of Culture is an opportunity to build on the existing strong arts and culture sector and showcase the South coast and region as a great place to live and work and I truly believe that culture is a vital part to the recovery in the context of COVID and it’s vital we embrace this.