News on Morley Town Deal

Business volunteers and employers in and around Morley have supported 2195 young people so far to understand the Morley Town Deal and its opportunities for a successful career and life.

Since the Growing Talent Morley programme kicked off in January 2023, businesses such as Sterling Capitol, Transpennine Route Upgrade, Sulzer, Leeds Building Society and Landsec have engaged young people aged 10 – 18 years in several exciting and innovative activities focused on their wishes for development in their local area, ecology and the skills needed to be ready for work in Morley.

Ahead Partnership has been appointed to design and deliver the Growing Talent Morley programme with local employers, and so far students from Morley Academy, Woodkirk Academy, Bruntcliffe Academy, Elliot Hudson College, Birchfield Academy, Morley Newlands Academy, St Francis Primary, Gildersome Primary School, and Drighlington Primary School have taken part in the series of careers panels, ‘world of work’ days, workshops and live brief challenges. There are extensive plans to grow the reach of this early careers and skills programme across the Morley area over the coming months.

After taking part in Growing Talent Morley activities, 82% of the students involved said taking part gave them an increased understanding of skills, qualifications, and entry routes into jobs in Morley and all students said they had improved their perception of the career options available in Morley. 97% of the young people involved said it had helped them plan their future goals for life after school.

Gerald Jennings, Chair of Morley Town Deal Board, says: “We are delighted with the progress of the Growing Talent Morley programme which directly engages our youngest stakeholders in Morley around what is happening right on their doorstep. Together with the commitment and passion of our local businesses and employers, we’re helping those young people to envision an improved Morley and really understand what that means for their futures.

Ahead Partnership has been key in bringing this together and delivering activities which speak to and excite local children and young people. The business volunteers love being involved and working collaboratively to improve knowledge and attitudes about Morley. We welcome any individual or organisation who is passionate about Morley to get involved in the programme as it grows throughout the area.”

If you would like to get involved, please visit: https://www.aheadpartnership.org.uk/growingtalentmorley/ for full details and to complete a volunteer form.