Campaign to sign up for PLANit Global launched
More than 60 businesses have so far signed up for a new Black Country online careers exploration and engagement platform.
The 200 in 200 Black Country Campaign aims to see 200 join PLANit Global in the 200 days to the Black Country Business Festival in April next year.
A free networking event, which was attended by more than 100, was held on October 3 at the Light House in Fryer Street, Wolverhampton, to introduce and demonstrate the project.
Among organisations taking part were the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and Black Country Growth Hub. All exhibiting businesses were early adopters of the platform,
David Darlaston, chief executive of PLANit Global, which is based in the Technology Centre at Wolverhampton Science Park and has been going since December 2014, said the platform allowed local businesses to connect with young people who could find out what each business did, who it employed and opportunities available.
"We are very much about businesses inspiring people and showcasing what is great about their business and their sector.
The main age group it is intended for is 13 to 18-years-old and schools who can obtain extensive careers information for free from the www.planitglobal.co.uk website. It is also intended to help people looking for a career change.
"We are encouraging businesses who subscribe for from £15 a month to receive a spot in their sector and to put jobs on there. It is also intended to be an all ages platform," he explained.
"The two big philosophical drivers for this are to get businesses to be more engaged with young people and young people to lean about business.
"To do this we have created a site that is fun and inspiring. Young people can learn about the world they are on while flying a spaceship
Mr Darlaston said many of the delegates who attended had indicated that they would be signing up over coming weeks.
Among the speakers in the Light House cinema was Ninder Johal, who as a board director for West Midlands Growth Company, outlined the need for a future workforce equipped with the right skills.
Mr Johal was also raising awareness of the Signature Awards which will be held at Birmingham's International Convention Centre on February 16 and The Nachural Summer Business Ball and Awards at Wolverhampton Racecourse on June 29.
Dr Caroline Badyal, chief executive of the Q3 Academies Trust, spoke on the need for business and education collaboration and Judy Hart, chief executive of Investors in Excellebce explained the need for business sustainability.
PLANit Global's global development head Paul Coxhead said there were ambitions to extend the platform to other local enterprise partnerships and launches were planned internationally in Europe, Bahrain and America.
"We have been supporting the EU Pact for Youth over the last two years by giving access to the biggest companies in Europe," he added.
Businesses who wish to find out more about the PLANit Global platform can call o1902 824212 or register on the website.
