Champion: "Chesterfield provides an excellent central base and a strong, diverse network of engaged businesses"

My name is Laura Duck. I am Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Direct Education Business Partnership. We support children, young people, and vulnerable adults to build positive futures by providing opportunities and tools for success. We work with primary, secondary, mainstream, specialist schools, and support centres, and in the community, supporting learners up to age 19 or 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as vulnerable young adults up to age 30 to advance employability skills.

What is your organisation looking forward to?

We look forward to continuing Careers Made in Chesterfield, funded by Chesterfield Borough Council as part of its Skills Action Plan. Each year, it expands to include more sectors, introducing students to local career opportunities through interactive workshops and work experiences.

Laura Duck, DEBP

Supported Internships, our one-year transition-to-work programme for young adults with SEND, also continues. Our most local host organisation is Chesterfield Royal Hospital, and we welcome Chatsworth from September 2026.

What makes Chesterfield and North Derbyshire a good place to work?

Most of our work is based within the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) region. Chesterfield provides an excellent central base and a strong, diverse network of engaged businesses. We are grateful that all our programmes benefit significantly from employer input, both in the design and delivery stages.

How are you supporting young people and how are they contributing to your success?

Involving young people in decision-making has been key with our Youth Futures Foundation on the Connected Futures East Midlands project. We employ young people with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Conditions as Youth Voice Ambassadors. They help shape our work and drive lasting, positive change.

How are you supporting our communities and improving our quality of life?

Our work supports informed decision-making, raises aspirations and builds employability. Working closely with employers, we ensure skills development meets future workforce needs, strengthening the local talent pipeline and supporting economic growth.

How would you describe Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, using only three words?

Friendly, collaborative and community.

How do Chesterfield and North Derbyshire showcase their culture and heritage?

We recently visited Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre to see the Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle (DRIIVe). A great example of how a new state-of-the-art facility will connect with heritage and support access to rail sector careers. We’ve also organised school visits to some of the town centre renovation projects which preserve and enhance key landmarks including Stephenson Memorial Hall (home to Chesterfield Museum and the Pomegranate Theatre) and Market Place.

Chesterfield Champions have been helping to promote Chesterfield and North Derbyshire for over 15 years. What have you most enjoyed supporting during this time?

We’re proud to help organise Made in Chesterfield, introducing students to local careers in the construction, manufacturing and property sectors through workplace visits and hands-on experiences. There are so many creative and innovative businesses, and we value the opportunity to raise awareness among young people.

Our Youth Voice Ambassadors also enjoyed speaking at the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Skills and Employability Conference. They shared the importance of inclusive decision-making and empowering young people on their journey into work.

What is your vision for Chesterfield and North Derbyshire in 2030? What do you think the town needs to achieve this?

Our vision is to see a stronger connection between education and employment, with increased employer involvement in shaping career education and young people actively involved in decisions about their futures.