Companies have shown their determination to boost social mobility in Ipswich by committing to boost connections with local schools and colleges.

Ipswich Cornerstone Employers have committed to supporting a goal of delivering 43,148 meaningful encounters by 2020, working with The Careers & Enterprise Company and partners to ensure every young person in secondary school or college in Ipswich receives at least four meaningful encounters with the world of work.

The current Cornerstone employers are: BT, Barclays, East of England Co-operative, Grant Thornton, Ipswich Building Society, John Grose, Lloyds Bank, Morgan Sindall, Suffolk County Council, Ipswich town Football Club and Realise Futures.

The Cornerstone Employers met on Friday to finalise their commitments to young people in Ipswich and will be publishing their Strategic Delivery Plan this Autumn.

The Careers & Enterprise Company and Chair of Cornerstone Employer Meetings Jordan Holder said: “The support of employers in Ipswich has been phenomenal, so much so that we are the Opportunity Area with the most Cornerstone Employers – testament to the commitment local organisations are willing to make to support young people. What many young people lack in Ipswich is confidence, and community. The confidence to stand out at a job interview, and the community of employers to help them get there.

Chairman of John Grose Ian Twinley said it was pleasing to see progress being made to support young people in Ipswich. “We have already significantly increased the number of opportunities for young people to engage with employers to help them with career choice and provide inspiration around the world of the workplace. We are now asking all local employers to get involved, as it can be as simple as a tour of their business for some local students. We must guide and support this next generation to ensure a bright future for all of us”