Serving the Teesside Business Community | 29
Turning the tide - Lauren Bywater says the High Tide
Foundation is determined to transform the career
experiences of young people across the Tees region.
THE
TIDE
IS HIGH
With jobs and skills at the top of the
region’s economic agenda, the role
of one local foundation is helping to
turn the tide for the future prospects
of hundreds of young people. Tees
Business finds out more…
D
edicated to inspiring the future of the
Tees Valley. It’s a lofty commitment
but one Lauren Bywater says the
High Tide Foundation she leads is
determined to achieve.
The Foundation’s aim is to improve learning
and employment opportunities while raising
aspirations for young people across the
region through its unique work experience
and industry-led skills programmes.
General manager Lauren has been leading
the charge for the last five years, helping
transform the way in which young people
across the Tees Valley view a career in
industry and gain vital experience across a
diverse range of key sectors.
Lauren’s focus is on connecting education
directly with businesses to deliver a
programme of career education, enrichment
activities and first-hand workplace experience
opportunities through High Tide.
Launched in 2012, High Tide has already
enjoyed great success. Over the last five
years it has worked with more than 6,000
young people in the Tees Valley. But tide and
time wait for no man. And now High Tide is
ready to move into uncharted waters.
It already works with more than four out of
five of all the region’s secondary schools but
the ambitious target is 100% to ensure every
student aged 11-16 is given access to High
Tide’s influential programmes.
“We’re ready to implement a real step
change that will truly transform career
experiences for young people across the
region,” promises Redcar-born Lauren, who
returned to the region after successfully
completing her own studies at Hull
University.
“The way to engage and inspire young
people is to connect them with people
in business - to get them out there and
amongst industry and meeting the people
that make things happen.
“Over the last five years we’ve seen our
membership grow to over 110. It’s not about
writing a cheque - it’s about attitude, culture,
collaboration and involvement.”
At the core of everything High Tide does
is inspiring and creating the employees of
tomorrow for the region’s established and
developing industries.
“Skills development and retention is a
key challenge facing many sectors, locally,
regionally and nationally,” says Lauren.
“Our programmes not only provide real life
work experience but they also offer genuinely
unique and life-changing opportunities for
young people.
“Every business across our region has one
thing in common - we all need good people.
Fresh talent with bundles of enthusiasm,
equipped with the right level of skills, disrupt
the norm within businesses. They spark
innovation and push the boundaries, which
drives progress and positive change.”
And now the Foundation is set to create a
new wave of progress.
“High Tide is on the cusp of great change,”
says Lauren. “Our growth strategy aims to
dramatically increase the understanding of
careers, labour market and the workplace as
well as helping to expand networks.
“While our focus is primarily on young
people, parents and teachers are huge
influencers in terms of the career decisions
taken, so we need to ensure they too are
fully engaged and understand the changin g
landscape of industry and what new
opportunities lie ahead for their children.
“Tackling the skills issues we face isn’t the
task for employers alone. The success will
be in our ability to bring together parents,
teachers, employers and young people,
which I’m confident we can do.
“There’s a real feeling of optimism in the
region at the moment, with lots of good
news about some significant long-term
investments either taking place or in the
pipeline.
“As a region we need to be ready to deliver
and support such investments by ensuring
we have the right people with the right
skills to fill the employment requirements of
inward investors.”
High Tide is keen to talk to more
employers of all sizes who are willing to
pledge a commitment to support the skills
development of young people. Membership
is free. Time and resources to deliver
inspiring programmes is key.
For more details about how to get involved with High Tide email
[email protected] or visit hightidefoundation.co.uk