Celebration and Conversation!

Approximately 40 employers, students, teachers and PAs came together at the Crewe Hub at 4.00pm Thursday June 24th, to focus on work experience.

Facilitated by Education Business Plus, the Big Conversation Response event was divided into two parts. The first part of the afternoon focused on the achievements of 12 young people from Crewe schools who have successfully completed Extended Work Experience placements over the past year or even longer in some cases.

Certificates were awarded in recognition of their efforts, which in several cases have led to the students getting part time work and in one case an apprenticeship at TPL Hairdressers Crewe. Certificates were also presented to those employers who not only provided the placements but also supported and encouraged these young people whilst they learned and developed workplace skills to help prepare them for the future.

Said Sarah Ramsey, Operations Manager for Cheshire East, who presented the certificates to them “It’s really fantastic to see both young people and employers gaining so much from their experience of working together”

The second part of the proceedings was dedicated to a more in-depth discussion about improving work experience for all concerned, as a result of the Business in the Community initiative – Work Inspiration. Two Big Conversations about this initiative were organised by the team at Education Business Plus in March this year – one at Shell Global Solutions and the other at Bentley Motors plc. As a result, a small network of employers is forming, both in Cheshire East and CWAC, who have given a firm commitment to look at how we can drive up the quality of work experience to the benefit of all concerned.

Richard Watson, Chief Executive of Gist ltd opened the Big Conversation Response by explaining the impact that the first Big Conversation at Bentley had made on work experience at Gist. As a result, the structure and organisation of placements has been reviewed and changes made, bringing about improvements which have been well received by both students and staff.

A wider discussion about work experience was then held between the employers present about work experience in general, with agreement about some of the key issues that caused employers concerns

Ø Lack of preparation by some students prior to coming on placement, especially if they were required to make contact with the employer and didn’t.
Ø Poor monitoring of students on placement by some schools
Ø A more structured approach to work experience would be welcomed

Everyone present was keen to take part in future meetings of this Employer Forum to develop jointly a more consistent approach towards future provision of work experience placements.

Pictured from left to right is Maggie Hutchinson, HR Director, Intercare Distribution Services Ltd, Jamie Noden from Springfield School and Sarah Ramsey, Connexions.