Leading North East law firm PG Legal has signed up to support an award-winning employability skills programme.

The Building My Skills programme, implemented by Esh Group, has delivered essential skills to over 5,000 students across the region and 11,000 students nationally. The programme has also been awarded with accolades including the Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association’s Inspiring Education Award and Business in the Community’s National Big Tick for Education Partnerships.

Vikki Todd, marketing manager at PG Legal said: “Esh Group has designed an outstanding programme which allows thousands of young people to work with businesses to gain skills they wouldn’t necessarily learn in the classroom.

“The participating students are able to gain advice and insight into exactly what qualities, both personal and professional, employers are looking for. This valuable experience will hopefully make a difference at the point the students come to make job applications and attend interviews in the future.”

The programme includes building confidence and career prospects of young people by offering them advice and guidance from the region’s leading professionals and a regional mock interview day to allow students first-hand experience of the employment process.

Darush Dodds, head of corporate social responsibility and added value at Esh Group said: “We are delighted to have PG Legal on board to support Building My Skills. The firm is a responsible and reputable business which will provide inspiration to the students involved in the scheme.

“Building My Skills provides free access to high quality, impartial careers guidance to bridge the skills gap, remove sector clichés, promote the construction sector, support the future workforce and empower staff to engage in their local communities.”

Vikki continued, ““As a firm, we are passionate about protecting the future of the region, both through supporting SMEs with specialist legal advice and also preparing the next generation of workers and entrepreneurs for the world of work and business. We are truly delighted to be working with Esh to deliver this programme”.