Following preparation in PSHEE lessons, Year 11 students had the opportunity to engage with a range of employers in a Speed Networking activity organised with the support of NYBEP.   They met a range of employers and asked questions about their career and the organisation they currently work in.  Later in the day, students worked on Planning a CV and Personal Statement.  They will continue this work in September, when they visit a Regional Careers Event and have meetings with the School Careers Adviser regarding their individual Post-16 Options.

Student comments on the experience include:

What have you enjoyed most about today?

“ Seeing a variety of jobs”, “ Having an ideas of what I would like to do”, “learning new things”, “learning about different jobs”, “employers can be friendly and interesting”.

 What you will remember?

“The importance of having the right attitude”, “the experience of talking to employers”, “learning more about the skills needed for different jobs”.

 What might you do/change because of today?

“How I present myself”, “my attitude towards school”, “look into things I wouldn’t before”, “I would do research in a particular job that I am interested in”, “Aspire to become more”

Employers included – The Army, RAF, Intuitions Hair & Beauty, BAM Nuttall, Wolseley UK, NYCC, Building & Preservation Northern Ltd, North Yorkshire Construction Group, Plantlet Culture, Reed Boardall, Ellis Bates and Yorkshire Bank.

Employers commented on how engaged students were, they had thought about their appearance and what to ask.  One commented “I wish there were activities like this when I was at school”

Staff involved in the day also appreciated the opportunity to link up with employers.  Over break they talked about the variety of opportunity in the organisations.  It has provided them with a new connection between teaching young people in the classroom and understanding the requirements of employers.