Published: Tuesday, 18th November 2025
Young Enterprise (YE) is continuing to deliver the Raising Aspirations for Young People Programme in Cannock Chase District until March 2026.
The programme supports young people in the District’s High Schools to raise their aspirations and to make informed decisions about subject choices and their future careers.
The funding for the programme (£79,983) has been allocated from the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) for 2025/2026 totalling £988,573.
The programme will deliver a range of enterprise and employability activities to encompass financial capability, entrepreneurial skills, and create opportunities to raise our young peoples’ aspirations, confidence, adaptability, resourcefulness, and resilience. This scheme is open to mainstream schools, Pupil Referral Units and SEND (Special Educational Needs) settings in the Cannock Chase District.
The programme will also help our young people to gain practical insight into the business start-up and development process.
Councillor Maureen Freeman, Portfolio Leader for Regeneration and High Streets said: “This programme was a huge success last year with Young Enterprise reaching over 3650 of the District’s young people with their programmes.
“The need to support young people in local high schools still remains so we are pleased that Young Enterprise has agreed to continue their work with our schools. Our young people were disproportionately affected by the pandemic which has left some feeling demoralised and lacking career focus. This project creates benefits for young people who are at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training) or who are facing these education challenges.
“Too many young people are leaving school without the set of skills that will enable them to fulfil their potential. Young Enterprise will continue to work with teenagers in local schools to equip them with the skills they need to access employment opportunities, when the time comes, and go on to thrive in the world of work.”
Sarah Porretta, CEO of Young Enterprise said: “We are excited to build on the success of the first year of our programme working with Cannock Chase Council to support young people through the ‘Raising Aspirations for Young People Programme’.
“Our enterprise and financial education programmes are hands-on, practical and engaging. They help young people build useful skills like confidence, public speaking, teamwork and problem solving. This experience will help young people in the Cannock Chase area to raise their aspirations and to be better prepared to step into the workplace, pursue further study or even consider setting up their own business.”
The programme will run until 31 March 2026.