PLANNING STAGE: Birmingham Housing Project

We worked with a leading developer to engage local young people in the planning stages of a new housing development in Birmingham. Activities were designed to inspire and engage local young people in shaping the new estate on their doorstep as well as promoting diversity in the Built Environment sector.

Students took on roles in marketing, finance, ecology and construction to design their own housing prototype, with winning students invited to pitch their ideas to the development's industry experts.

Council Leader, Ian Ward, said of the scheme: “Having a high-profile Birmingham business come forward to promote this kind of careers activity is vitally important in terms of raising aspirations and showcasing opportunity across the city. The events that Ahead Partnership deliver are designed to get young people excited about their future job prospects and it’s very welcome to see businesses engaging on skills in this manner.”

PLANNING STAGE: Harrogate Convention Centre Redevelopment

We were appointed to work with the consultants and partners responsible for the redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre to support with the design and delivery of their social value programme. The project partners included the lead consultant and overall project manager, as well as a consortium of organisations involved in the development scheme at the enabling stage including civil engineering, architecture and electrical engineering businesses. 

Having listened to the partners' objectives we proposed an education project themed around the refurbishment of the centre itself in which all the partners and the redevelopment project's commissioner, Harrogate Borough Council, could play a meaningful part: a Design Thinking Work Experience for Year 10 and 12 students aimed at local secondary schools and sixth form colleges across the borough. 

This was delivered using a blend of face to face activity, visits to the Centre, virtual mentoring sessions and self-directed learning. The experience was themed around emerging technology, sustainability and environmental management and user-centred design.

100% of the students increased their understanding of roles and careers linked to property development and 100% had a greater interest in a job linked to design or engineering following the project.

DEVELOPMENT STAGE: Morley Town Deal

The Morley Town Deal is a £24.3m programme of funding that will deliver an ambitious and transformative vision for the town of Morley. Ahead Partnership devised and designed the Growing Talent Morley programme for the Town Deal to inform local young people about the benefits of the Morley Town Deal, supporting them to engage with the themes, activities and outcomes of the Town Investment Plan and enhancing awareness and interest in digital skills and careers linked to job opportunities in and around Morley.

The three-year programme has engaged thousands of young people to date in a rolling calendar of inspirational and engaging activities such as careers panels, ‘world of work’ days, workshops and live brief challenges.

Gerald Jennings, Chair of Morley Town Deal Board, says: “We are delighted with the progress of the Growing Talent Morley programme which directly engages our youngest stakeholders in Morley around what is happening right on their doorstep. Ahead Partnership has brought this together and delivered activities which speak to and excite local children and young people. The business volunteers love being involved and working collaboratively to improve knowledge and attitudes about Morley.”