Shell and Education Business Plus organise a 'Big Conversation'

Shell Global Solutions (UK) and Education Business Plus are joining forces to try and ensure that work experience for young people can be the most valuable experience possible.

Millions of young people embark on work experience each year but a national campaign called work inspiration *(www.workinspiration.com)  is currently taking place involving huge numbers of employers across a variety of sectors to try and increase the relevance of the placements and to use them to truly inspire young people. The aim is to engage employers and young people in dialogue about what each party wants to achieve from work experience.

Shell Global Solutions (UK) and Shell UK are already staunch supporters of the EBP work experience programme and each year thanks employees who have given support to local schools for work related learning - in particular, work experience. Leonie Murphy of Education Business Plus and Seth Clay STEM Development Consultant, were recently invited to speak to a group of their staff at a celebration lunch on their site at Ellesmere Port.

Leonie and Seth gave a short presentation to Shell staff about the Work Inspiration initiative which was launched in London, in September 2009. A Big Conversation was held between 100 Chief Executives of key organisations and 100 young people about Work Inspiration and its stated aims:

-  To capture the views of young people about work experience and how to make it inspiring, interesting and insightful.
-  To mobilise employers to turn work experience into Work Inspiration by using three simple Work Inspiration Insights:

· It’s all about me
· Look behind the Scenes
· Careers Happen

The UK has a wealth of talent and is at the forefront of technological ideas and creativity but there is a serious skill shortage, especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

In order to end this trend we are aiming to turn work experience into work inspiration to enable students to gain the best possible insight into the workplace, thus helping them make informed career choices. A Big Conversation in local areas involving employers, schools and students, will allow all parties to come together to discuss work experience – what works, what doesn’t, and how to maximise opportunities for all.

Shell have agreed to host a Big Conversation early next year, working with Education Business Plus to invite relevant stakeholders to share ideas about how to turn this important insight into the world of work into the most valuable experience possible for young people and for their future.

Further details of this event will shortly be available.

*Work Inspiration is the brainchild of BitC and is supported by NESTA, the Edge Foundation and the Institute of Education and Business Education