Big tick winner

The Co-operative Financial Services - Project Formation

Merrill Lynch Education Award supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families

The Co-operative Financial Services developed Project Formation as a co-ordinated education and training programme in 2000 to address growing levels of unemployment and skills shortages in Skelmersdale.

Since 2000, The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) has developed close working partnerships with 17 local schools and training providers through the Project Formation programme. The programme raises the career aspirations of young people by providing meaningful education, training and work experience, unlocking opportunities for them to progress onto Further Education and employment.
 
The programme comprises eleven education initiatives including a six week enterprise programme, two weeks structured work experience for up to 70 pupils and industry and enterprise workshops giving over 1,300 pupils numeracy and interview training.
 
Headed up with a full-time manager, the Formation Team offers secondments to employees from CFS as part of a wider employee development programme. In 2007, 78% of colleagues in the customer service centre in Skelmersdale participated in Project Formation.

Impact

  • 3,236 hours of employee time dedicated to improving the numeracy and pre-employment skills of over 1,600 pupils in Lancashire in 2007.
  • 150 children have received numeracy support over the last 5 years significantly improving attainment rates within the school.
  • 29 Project Formation students found employment at the Bank in 2007 representing over 40% of pupils on work experience at the Bank.
  • 33.4% increase in GCSE attainment rates in Skelmersdale North schools in the ten years to 2007.