Over 135 businesses and organisations have signed up to a new initiative that uses social media to put employers from the region in touch with potential young recruits.

The icanbea.org.uk website is designed to give young people local careers and training information on their own terms and has been developed by young people’s charity The Mason Trust in collaboration with Suffolk County Council and other borough and district councils. The portal allows students considering options, those beginning job seeking, and those looking for training to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ the businesses from Suffolk and Norfolk who interest them and keep informed of their news and opportunities.

It was officially launched on Friday at an event held at Ipswich Town Football Club, which was attended by employers, councillors and other stakeholders.

Launching with over 135 business and organisational profiles already available on the social media platform, the backers believe there is a huge potential for the icanbea... project to become the ‘go to’ hub for organisations and young people to share knowledge, opportunities and skills for mutual benefit.

Founder of the Mason Trust, Yvonne Mason, said: “To determine our future paths we have to be able to visualise them. It’s easy enough for a grown-up with a wide breadth of experience and knowledge to call upon. But how can young people picture themselves in their future careers if they can’t see where they could head? Who makes it visible, who teaches them how to research it? Parents? Teachers? Careers advisors? Who actually knows industry and all that it offers better than those working within it? By connecting these companies with young people in a user-friendly way we hope to show the young people how they can scope out, plan and approach their potential career paths in either a company or a sector.” Regional employers who are already featured on the website include Adnams, Aviva, British Sugar, BT, EDF Energy, Norse and Muntons. Ipswich Building Society has also signed up and its CEO, Paul Winter MBE, spoke at the launch event.

He said: “icanbea… gives us a vehicle to inform and update young people about the financial sector, working at IBS and the opportunities we offer to our staff; we are able to showcase actual apprenticeships through videos on the site and real time opportunities such as apprenticeships or part time jobs suitable for a young person studying or looking to transition in to employment.

He added: “I would encourage any employer from any sector to consider taking the opportunity to be profiled on icanbea… and help to support young people make informed choices for their future.”

Businesses who would like to have their profile included on icanbea.org.uk can contact the Mason Trust on team@icanbea.org.uk or call 01379 650041.