When Warwickshire County Council asked residents what matters most for the future of the county, one of the messages that came through most clearly was: opportunities for young people matter.
As part of the engagement for our new Council Plan, Recalibrating Warwickshire, residents told us that giving children and young people the best possible start in life should be a priority. Better education, stronger support and more opportunities to gain skills and find employment were all highlighted as being important for Warwickshire's future.
Across the county, that vision is being turned into action through significant investment in schools, special educational needs provision, skills development and employment opportunities.
Over the last year, Warwickshire County Council has approved over £47 million of investment in education. This includes delivering 660 new school places, while improvements to classrooms, sports facilities and specialist learning environments are helping schools meet the needs of growing communities. Since 2015, 15 new schools have opened across Warwickshire, creating additional capacity for future generations of learners.
Alongside this, the Council has continued to expand support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Through £1.27 million of investment, new specialist places are being created and accessibility improvements delivered, helping more families access the support they need within their local communities.
These investments are part of a wider ambition set out in Recalibrating Warwickshire: ensuring that every child and young person has the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential.
Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Councillor George Finch, said:
"When residents told us that creating opportunities for young people should be a priority, we listened and we're delivering.
"We've invested in better schools, enhanced SEND provision and programmes that help young people develop skills, gain qualifications and move into employment. Together, these investments are helping more young people fulfil their potential, regardless of their starting point.
"This is about making a tangible difference to people's lives. By improving educational opportunities and creating pathways into successful careers, we're helping young people build brighter futures while strengthening Warwickshire's communities and economy for years to come."
Supporting young people doesn't stop at the classroom door.
Over the past two years, Warwickshire County Council has invested more than £800,000 in apprenticeship funding, careers support and skills programmes, helping 134 people and 58 businesses benefit from new opportunities and workforce development.
The Council also continues to bring education and industry together through launching the first Warwickshire Skills Show. This year, more than 1,500 young people attended the event, exploring future careers, apprenticeships and training opportunities while meeting more than 80 employers from across the region.
Together, these investments are helping create a Warwickshire where young people can learn, grow and develop the skills needed to succeed, while ensuring local businesses have access to the talent they need for the future.
For more information on the Recalibrating Warwickshire Council plan watch the video here: https://youtu.be/MYaMBaj4BD0 or visit: https://ask.warwickshire.gov.uk/bi/recalibrating-warwickshire/