Scheme helps young people find their dream careers

Twenty young people from underrepresented communities have completed a nine-month scheme designed to help them secure jobs, apprenticeships and university places.

Beyond Boundaries, a programme launched in October by Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality and funded by Sizewell C, aimed to help 15 to 21-year-olds from Suffolk.

From October to December 2025 about 957,000 people aged 16-24 (12.8% of the age group) were not in education, employment of training in the UK, the Office for National Statistics said.

The project included weekly sessions to help participants build skills and confidence, connect them with industry figures and provide information about different routes into work.

Participants in the scheme attended a celebration event on 30 June at Venue 16 in Ipswich to mark their achievements.

Efaz, 17, said before taking part in the programme he felt his desired career path did not fit the traditional mould.

He was interested in engineering but was also passionate about music and worried he would have to choose between them.

Yet, he said Beyond Boundaries encouraged him to embrace both interests.

"I always thought my career path was a bit unconventional but Beyond Boundaries showed me that different passions can work together. It helped me realise I didn't have to fit into one box," he said.

Elijah Cook, 19, came to the programme after finishing a media course at Suffolk One Sixth Form College.

"I was a bit lost," he said. "I didn't know what to do, questioning whether I should go to uni or not, so just trying another route seemed a good idea."

Cook said he knew he wanted to pursue a career in media, but had not got a plan about how to find opportunities.

"I joined Beyond Boundaries, and honestly, I've really enjoyed it - meeting new people, pushing myself and going to places that I wouldn't have normally, but a big thing for me was confidence and being pushed to develop and grow as a person," he said.

Chelsey Chidanika, 18, said she was in a place of uncertainty before joining the programme.

"It was really important for me to know that you don't have to start at the same place as you finish.

"You have the chance to pick something that you're passionate about now, but if I change my mind later on, I can," she added.

"I am only 18 and I don't have to have everything figured out right now."

Chelsey said through the scheme she has secured an internship at nuclear power station Sizewell C.

"I'm much more confident about my abilities," she said. "I'm excited and learning from those around me. When I look back, I've come so far and I'm very proud of what I've achieved."

Aleksandra Kasinska, the programme's manager, said the scheme was designed to focus on the participants' strengths rather than limitations, challenge negative stereotypes and support young people from all backgrounds to recognise their potential.

"Confidence was a huge barrier for so many here tonight and you can see what they have achieved," she said.

Jack Shipley-Smith, 18, said: "I wasn't sure what my future looked like," adding that he had felt like he was "sitting on a big fat zero".

However, when Kasinska visited his college to talk about Beyond Boundaries, he decided to sign up.

"What they've helped me do is not at all what I joined it for, but it's better than that," said Jack, who has secured an apprenticeship with BT.

"Alex's passion for me just never stopped. Whenever I was like OK, I can't be bothered, she's like no, you can be bothered, you will be bothered," he said.

Chris Young, the head of Sizewell C's employment affairs unit, said: "This type of collaboration is incredibly important, particularly in light of the Milburn Report and the growing Neet [young people not in education, employment or training] challenge facing the UK.

"Strong partnerships are what make this kind of success possible.

"At Sizewell C, we are absolutely committed to working collaboratively to create as many pathways as possible into our project, while also helping to open up wider employment opportunities within the local community."

Mayor of Ipswich Pat Bruce-Browne attended the celebration event and said: "I am inspired by what I have seen tonight, the talent, creativity and determination in this room give me a great confidence in the future of our town, our country and our community."

Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.