Day: July 16, 2018

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Press release: International Trade Summer School launched to upskill the nation

Thirty students will this week learn from businesses and trade experts about the vital role of international trade in helping companies thrive at the first International Trade Summer School.

Launching the initiative, International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP called on the next generation of business leaders and policy makers to broaden their horizons, deepen their knowledge and prepare themselves for the exciting opportunities ahead in the global economy.

The 3-day event is organised by DIT’s National Trade Academy Programme, part of the Board of Trade, which aims to upskill the nation on international trade and build a culture of exporting through a range of educational projects and initiatives.

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox speaking at a lectern.
International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox addressing the students

The Summer School sees DIT working with a number of partners, from business organisations to banks. These include the Institute of Exports & International Trade, Barclays and the City of London Corporation, as well as successful exporters like premium tonic maker Double Dutch, to deliver interactive sessions equipping the next generation of exporters and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed.

Over the 3 days, the students will also take on an Apprentice-style export challenge. They will be tasked with creating an exporting strategy to boost sales of bicycles manufactured in Sheffield, in a scenario not unfamiliar to trade advisers at DIT which each year helps tens of thousands of companies take the first steps toward exporting.

Opening the first International Trade Summer School, International Trade Secretary and President of the Board of Trade Dr Liam Fox MP said:

Through the National Trade Academy Programme, my international economic department is working to energise and educate the next generation of exporters and entrepreneurs and this summer school will do just that, giving students a comprehensive and practical insight into the world of international trade.

As the UK gets ready to leave the European Union and make its own independent trade policy for the first time in 40 years, students will learn about the vast benefits that free trade brings to national economies as well as the enormous potential that a truly global Britain offers individuals and businesses across the UK.

Lord Mayor of the City of London Charles Bowman said:

The UK has prospered as a result of strong relationships with international partners. As we edge closer to departing the European Union our global trade links will become even more vital.

Equipping students, individuals and businesses with the tools to enhance these international links is a tremendous initiative that the City of London is proud to be a part of.

I look forward to meeting delegates to discuss how we can bolster the trade of the future.

Andy Fishburn, Head of Investment at Virgin StartUp, said:

We’re thrilled to be hosting day 3 of the National Trade Academy Programme’s Summer School to showcase some of UK’s best exporters and help inspire the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

ENDS

Background

The International Trade Summer School The International Trade Summer School is 3 day event, from 16 to 18 July, and will be attended by 30 students. It is the first of its kind and presents a unique opportunity for participants to learn about international trade, meet successful businesses leaders and engage with senior government officials. The summer school will enable participants to develop their thinking around the concepts of international trade and use this insight to inform their future study, support job applications and gain useful skills for their careers.

  • Day 1 will be hosted by the Department for International Trade.
  • Day 2 will be launched by the Lord Mayor of London and hosted at Mansion House.
  • Day 3 is taking place at Virgin StartUp in Paddington.

A number of high profile partner organisations will also be delivering learning sessions at the International Trade Summer School. These include:

  • The City of London Corporation
  • Virgin StartUp
  • The Institute of Exports & International Trade
  • Santander
  • Barclays
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Control Risks
  • Successful exporting companies Nimble and Double Dutch

For further information

  • Contact the DIT Media Team on 020 7215 2000


Link: Press release: International Trade Summer School launched to upskill the nation
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Multi-million pound fund to help tackle the disability employment gap launched

A £4.2 million challenge fund to support people with mental health or musculoskeletal conditions to stay in work has been launched by the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Sarah Newton, and the Minister for Mental Health and Inequalities, Jackie Doyle-Price.

The fund is the latest in a range of government measures that are part of a 10-year strategy which aims to see 1 million more disabled people in work by 2027.

The challenge fund, run by Rocket Science on behalf of the government, is aimed at testing new approaches to help people experiencing mental ill health or musculoskeletal issues to remain in employment.

They might be at risk of losing employment because of the effects of their condition, or may already be temporarily off work through ill health.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Sarah Newton, said:

We know there is a gap between disabled people who want to work and those who have the opportunity to do so.

With 78% of people acquiring their disability or health condition during their adult life, it’s crucial that we support disabled people who want to work to stay in or return to employment.

The joint initiative between the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care will fund projects that help people to stay in work by:

  • increasing their ability to self-manage their conditions
  • helping people access advice and support about what sort of work they might be capable of doing

Minister for Mental Health and Inequalities Jackie Doyle-Price, said:

For too long if you had a disability or serious mental health issue the world of work was off limits, potentially affecting the lives of millions of people across the country.

This fund will help people overcome the barriers that so many still face when trying to get into and progress in the workplace.

Other areas to be tested will include new approaches to help employers and employees develop workplace solutions, and developing ways of working that facilitate greater participation of those with mental health or musculoskeletal conditions.

Applications are welcome from organisations in any sector, including employers, charities, social enterprises, local authorities, health bodies and others, with applications from smaller organisations particularly welcome.

More information

Visit the Challenge Fund website for information on how to apply.

The challenge fund is open for applications until 5pm on 17 August 2018.

Share your thoughts about the fund on social media using #WHChallengeFund and #WorkandHealth.

Contact Press Office

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Link: Press release: Multi-million pound fund to help tackle the disability employment gap launched
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: More funding for youth groups to help youngsters unlock their full potential

Communities Minister Lord Bourne has announced £250,000 to give more young people from diverse backgrounds across the country the opportunity to join national youth groups like the Scouts, Police Cadets and Guiding.

This will give more youngsters the confidence, skills and experience they need to realise their potential.
Youth United Foundation, a charity established to support a coalition of 11 uniformed youth volunteering organisations has already offered over 1.5 million young people the opportunity to develop teamwork, leadership, self-confidence and communication skills through a series of activities.

Government funding to date has helped train thousands of new volunteers with their member organisations including the Scout Association, Girlguiding, and St John’s Ambulance.

The new funding will be used to promote integration through building a national network of youth integration champions and rolling out long-term approaches to developing lasting relationships between young people from different backgrounds.

This complements the government’s ongoing work to improve integration including the recent launch of the Integrated Communities Innovation Fund, announced by Communities Secretary the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP. Working in partnership with Sport England, the Innovation Fund will support projects that encourage integration including sport.

Communities Minister Lord Bourne said:

This government is determined to ensure young people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to go as far as their talents take them.

Organisations such as the Scouts Cadets and Girls Brigade give young people unique and challenging experiences that help them unlock their full potential.

With this funding, Youth United Foundation will be able to ensure that more young people have the opportunity to gain the skills and confidence to become great citizens of the future.

Youth United Foundation Chief Executive, Samantha Hyde said:

The Youth United Foundation are delighted that funding of £250,000 has been awarded to support the work of the Integrated Communities Strategy in targeted areas of England.

It will allow us to continue our work setting up new units and groups to which will contribute to the achievement of the government’s vision for building strong, integrated communities.

We look forward to working closely with our Network and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to build on this success.

Further information

Youth United Foundation is a charity established to support the Youth United Network, founded by HRH The Prince of Wales. The Network is a coalition of 11 uniformed youth volunteering organisations, including Girlguiding, the Scout Association, the Volunteer Police Cadets, and St John’s Ambulance.

This announcement comes in the same week as the launch of new research from Youth United, “Social Integration: the role of uniformed youth groups”, which provides powerful evidence of that participation in uniformed youth groups increases integration.

Funding for Youth United Foundation will support the objectives identified in the government’s Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper, which closed on 5 June 2018. This includes encouraging social mixing amongst different groups and increasing opportunities for all young people to boost their talents.

MHCLG provided £10 million for the Youth United Foundation’s Supporting Inclusion Programme which ran from April 2012 to September 2014 to increase the number of places in youth organisations in deprived areas, and £400,000 to the Youth United Foundation in 2017 to 2018 to support the Foundation’s core costs and test approaches to social mixing for young people.

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Link: Press release: More funding for youth groups to help youngsters unlock their full potential
Source: Gov Press Releases