Toni and Lesley speak with Laura Mason, CEO of NYBEP, an organisation bridging the gap between education and business. Laura shares her passion for helping young people prepare for the world of work, touching on the importance of work experience, flexible employment, and empowering young voices. They also discuss today's youth's challenges and how businesses can play a crucial role in shaping their futures.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• NYBEP engages with about 40,000 young people annually, offering work experience, careers fairs, and employability skills training across Yorkshire and the North East.
• The organisation brings businesses into schools to demonstrate the real-world application of subjects like math, helping students understand their importance.
• Laura emphasises the value of multiple work experiences for young people, starting as early as primary school and continuing through age 19 and beyond.
• Flexible working arrangements, such as term time only contracts, can attract and retain talented employees, particularly women returning to work after having children.
• Language plays a crucial role in how young people, especially girls, describe their skills and abilities, highlighting the need for empowerment and self-awareness.
• Businesses of all sizes can contribute to youth development by offering work experience placements, even if it's just one or two positions.
• The transition from education to work requires young people to develop essential skills like punctuality, appropriate dress, and professional communication.
• Laura encourages women to be bold in pursuing leadership roles, emphasising the importance of taking chances and learning from mistakes.

BEST MOMENTS 

"We like to bring businesses into education and mix the two up so that young people can really sort of see and feel where they're going and what they want to do."

"I fundamentally believe in work experience and I believe in work experience and multiple work experiences or experiences of workplace."

"As women, we've got to promote women and we've got to protect ourselves and also make sure that we're careful with the language because we can be very quickly, you know, put somebody down, can't we?"

"I think language, you're right. And, and believing that and not, not being too, not being too hard on yourself and not, you know, overthinking it."

"It takes a village, doesn't it? And all of us play our part and say, this is what we want to do."

ABOUT THE GUEST

Laura Mason – CEO NYBEP

I have worked for NYBEP for over 16 years, having previously worked in and around both the private and public/not for profit sector for over 25 years. I am responsible for leading and directing the company in the successful achievement of its mission, values, strategic aims and viability and ensuring the success of the business. I am a Chartered Member of the CIPD, sit on the Skills and Employability Board of the LEP, Chair the LEPs Careers Strategy Group and a Governor at a local Primary School. 

lauramason@nybep.org.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-mason-mcipd

HOST BIOS

Toni C. Eastwood OBE, MBA, (Business Transformation Coach and Facilitator)

Award-winning entrepreneur, who knows exactly what it’s like to start and scale NFP Business, raising multi-millions in funding. She has served as a non-executive board member and Chair of several charities and NFP organisations. With 30 years’   experience in SME, Business startup and growth, as Director of a FTSE 30 Company, starting and growing two businesses over the last 12yrs. Toni knows what it’s like to leave the familiar behind, to personally risk  everything to follow your passion for service and importantly to handle the inevitable obstacles along the way. 

Lesley Craven MA – Programme Director – (Business Transformation Coach and Facilitator)

Lesley has spent 30+ years leading public and social sector delivery, and as a CEO of numerous NFP organisations. She is an accomplished bid writer, facilitator, and business coach leading our delivery to 1000s of Small Business Owners and Leaders over the last 4 years.

PODCAST DESCRIPTION

The Women On Purpose Podcast is where we keep it real, have fun, an authentic and entertaining platform for individuals seeking personal growth, purpose-driven living, and the full range of emotions that make life an adventure.  We share some laughter, and yes, there might even be a few tears along the way. We want the conversation to flow and will be chatting with our guests learning more about their successes, challenges, and how they have navigated these sharing the tools and techniques they may have used alongside us sharing our tips and techniques from our ASPIRE Model.