Led by education charity, The Talent Foundry, and supported by Blackpool Council and international savings and investment business M&G plc, the programme has helped pupils from mainstream secondary schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) facing significant barriers to reimagine their futures.
Workshops focused on employability skills and financial literacy, helping students understand budgeting and real world money choices.
The initiative has become a recognised early intervention pathway in Blackpool, ensuring that pupils not only gain skills but also understand how those skills connect to jobs and opportunities available locally, delivering more than £150,000 in measurable social value in 2026 alone.
Sessions were led by volunteers from across Blackpool’s labour market including construction, digital, engineering, public services, hospitality and energy – industries that reflect real growth opportunities in Blackpool’s economy.
For many students, it was their first interaction with professionals from these fields.
One pupil said:
“I didn’t know there were so many jobs in Blackpool. It made me think differently about what I could do,”.
“My confidence has skyrocketed. I actually spoke in front of people today.”
Cllr Kath Benson, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Young People and Aspiration, said:
“We know how important it is for pupils in Blackpool to be ready for the world of work so it’s fantastic to see them develop their employability skills through this programme.
“Across Blackpool, we know that some young people are at risk of ending up not in education, employment or training which is why it’s so important that we make the most of these opportunities to build their ambitions, helping them to meet employers, build their confidence and imagine a future career in Blackpool.
“A key focus of our Making Blackpool Better vision is to ensure people of all ages have access to great career and education opportunities and this programme has helped us to deliver this to local secondary school pupils. Hopefully this programme will continue to deepen its impact with ongoing support from local employers, opening doors to real local opportunity.”
Jenni Anderson, Chief Executive at The Talent Foundry, said:
“Across the UK, social mobility outcomes remain deeply unequal, particularly at the transition from education into employment, further education and training. Our place-based work in Blackpool helps ensure that where a young person grows up doesn’t shape what they can access or dream of becoming.
“The support of key partners allows us to align education with employment opportunities, helping young people to build networks, gain confidence and develop the skills they need to succeed. We are proud to support students on this programme to see a future for themselves in Blackpool.”
Schools taking part in the programme included Educational Diversity, Highfield Leadership Academy, Armfield Academy and Blackpool Skills Academy.
In 2026, the programme delivered three full day sessions for 48 Year 10 students from PRU and mainstream schools, combining confidence building, skills identification and goal setting, networking with local employers, financial literacy and mock interviews.
Volunteers contributed more than 200 hours of their time to the delivery of the programme in the last year. These included Blackpool Council, M&G plc, Holiday Inn Blackpool, Morgan Sindall, George Cox & Sons, Virgin Media O2, Technology One, DES Energy, Ameon, Pink Link Ladies, Glazey Days, Lancashire Police and British Army.