Public Sector Plc is delighted to announce that development manager, Leena Gillespie is joining another of its development managers, Kate Howe, to the volunteer role of PLACED Ambassador on the 2020 PLACED Digital Academy. Organised by the Liverpool-based design, planning and development Social Enterprise PLACED, Leena and Kate will be mentoring young people enrolled to the recently launched 2020 programme.
The Academy, which opened for applications 1 June, provides group and 1-2-1 mentoring sessions to young people who are considering future careers in the built environment. The Academy seeks to support greater diversity in the sector, enable participants to develop their skills and confidence and empower them as active members of society. This year, the programme is being delivered in partnership with the University of Liverpool School of Environmental Sciences, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Regenda Group and Public Sector Plc, along with support from a number of sponsors.
The ten-week digital programme will give 30 young people the opportunity to participate in an exciting programme of activities about the built environment, with online workshops, tutorials and guidance from industry mentors. The shift to a Digital Academy for 2020-21 is in response to the current Covid-19 crisis, when supporting young people in taking positive steps towards their future is more important than ever.
Young people will be supported by the PLACED team and fantastic mentor Ambassadors, built environment professionals and students. Mentors will include architects, planners, interior designers and landscape architects, offering young people a unique insight into careers and study routes.
Kate Howe: “I supported PLACED throughout 2019 and was overwhelmed at the quality of the Academy and the education that Graduates take away. It is a privilege to be able to give back to the communities we work in and watch how young people grow when given the opportunity to give their thoughts and opinions on our built environment.”
Leena Gillespie: “I’m really excited to get involved with PLACED and work with young adults to share ideas on how and what they can do to create the future societies that they will live and work in. Our communities and neighbourhoods are continually changing, and it is key that the younger generation feel empowered to get involved and consider careers in the built environment where they can bring about positive change”.
Jo Harrop, Director at PLACED: “I am delighted that Public Sector Plc are partnering with PLACED in 2020 and providing mentoring support to the next generation of property professionals.
At PLACED, we believe creative learning is an invaluable tool in developing young people’s confidence, self-belief and skills. Making the built environment the focus of this creativity means we can create empowered young citizens who know their view matters and that they have the potential to shape the places in which they live.
We also believe it is a priority to support young people under-represented in the built environment in accessing the sector: whether young women, those from black and ethnic minority communities and those from less privileged areas. Only by supporting greater diversity through education can we create better, stronger and more understanding communities who can make a difference.
That is why we established the PLACED Academy and we are extremely grateful for all the support we have received from our Partners and Sponsors.”
To find out more and get involved visit www.placed-academy.com Applications are open until 30 June.