Girls across Devon are taking part in an Empowering Girls programme organised by the Devon, Plymouth & Torbay Careers Hub.

Students from St Luke’s Church of England School, St James School, Queen Elizabeth’s, Isca, West Exe School, Cranbrook Education Campus, Sidmouth College and All Saints Academy Plymouth, which are all part of the Ted Wragg Trust family of schools, are benefitting from the programme. 

The Careers Hub works with 117 schools and colleges across the country to help every young person find their best next step. They do this by working closely with careers leads in schools,  connecting them with employers and encouraging them to create world class careers education programmes for their young people. 

The Empowering Girls programme has been designed to support girls with their confidence, raise aspirations and provide students with positive female role models. Participants take part in a 6 week mentor programme alongside a workshop that is held at different business premises. These include a tour around the business to demonstrate what different workplaces look and feel like and so students can gather information about different sectors, the skills required to work in them, and the pathways available.

The Communication and Confidence workshop covers topics such as first impressions, personal branding, confidence in communication, fear, and our comfort zone. The workshop is conducted by Judy Salmon, a business coach, and personal development consultant. 

The programme lasts for six weeks and at the end there is an end of year celebration event that brings together mentors and mentees who have been part of the Empowering Girls programme throughout the year. This year the event will be in July at Winslade Manor in Exeter and every young person will receive a certificate to recognise their participation and effort, the celebration event last summer saw over 40 girls in attendance.

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“I am delighted that so many Ted Wragg schools are taking part in the Empowering Girls programme. I want to say a big thank you to everyone at the Devon, Plymouth & Torbay Careers Hub for the hard work they have put into this valuable programme.  

“Not only are they providing girls with the tools they need to thrive in the workplace and their lives, they are also giving them a valuable insight into different career paths.”

Jo Skeel from the Devon, Plymouth & Torbay Careers Hub said:

“It’s brilliant to be able to support so many girls from across the county with their career aspirations. It’s so important that girls know there are a wide range of opportunities out there for them and that they should never feel like a certain career path or sector isn’t for them.  I hope the girls really enjoy taking part in the programme and that it inspires them to reach for the stars when it come to their future.”

Sarah Abrahams who founded the Empowering Girls Programme said:

“‘You can’t be what you can’t see’ Marian Wright Edelman.

“We continue to strive for gender balance and equity in our society and although there have been big strides in the right direction over the last 50 years, there is still much to do.

“Empowering Girls aim is to give young girls tools and inspiration to enable them to broaden their aspirations. With the generosity of female business women across many sectors who give their time to share their own stories and experiences, we are helping the women of tomorrow have brighter futures.

“The girls have told us they feel more confident, more informed of choices they can make and we’ve also had parents share their delight as they see their daughters grow in their own beliefs and self worth.

“I have been delighted to see the expansion of the Empowering Girls initiative over the last 5 years, growing the number of girls we can empower across the South West. This wouldn’t be able to be achieved without the Careers Hub and vital school support.”