School business partnerships
A number of companies are involved in exciting, creative and challenging projects with named schools. Businesses enjoy making a positive and productive contribution to the local community and use opportunities to further develop their own employees and some industry problems.
Examples:
The 'Adopt a School' projects are examples. You can read more about Bury Church of England High School and Keoghs Solicitors. Employee Volunteers go into their adopted school on a regular basis to offer support.
Project work development
Many schools and companies have been involved in successful work related projects where pupils have researched a particular work based problem and have been helped and guided by local companies. In some of the vGCSEs it is essential that pupils have first hand experience of real business situations and in many cases a range of size of companies are important too.
Viridor are a waste management company in Pilsworth Bury. They have a company based classroom and positively encourage and develop education and training around the issues of waste management. The benefits are multifold for all partners.
Company visits
In today's competitive job market, employers are increasingly working to recruit people who are reliable and have the right attitude. Company visits enable employers to help many young people become aware of their organisation and the type of organisation and variety of positions, opportunities and training.
Greenhalghs Bury:
"The work visit scheme helps make young people aware of the type of positions in a bakery e.g. Engineering, sales administration and I.T."
Work shadowing
Allowing young people to gain first hand experience of the many roles within a complex organisation is extremely helpful in enabling informed choices about their future to be made. Although work shadowing inevitably is time consuming, it does enable companies to influence potential employees, particularly if they have a say in selection.
Asda provides both direct work experience and 'shadowing', where pupils are able to work alongside colleagues within departments and see what goes on. Asda has devised a 'Kids at Work Day' where set tasks and projects are completed to provide youngsters with more knowledge and confidence of the employment world.
Influencing the work preparation curriculum
Employers can be involved in developing the curriculum in a number of ways. This may involve contributing towards the development of case studies, delivering presentations on specific professions or holding mock interviews for year 11 students. Employers can also play a major role in the development of key skills such as problem solving, entrepreneurial skills, communication, teamwork and information technology through the setting of live project briefs and realistic scenarios.
Work experience
Every year thousands of children benefit enormously from the vital insight into the world of work thanks to The Bolton Bury EBP and those companies who continue to enable young people to take part. The careful selection of work placements that match a young person's interests and abilities can play a crucial role in guiding future career paths.
"The pupils come along and work alongside our crew learning about cleaning, cooking and serving procedures. They get a chance to look at everything"
