Business volunteers help young people to become work ready
Businesses across the borough are helping young people prepare for the workplace through a Telford & Wrekin Council programme which aims to bridge the gap between business and education.
Representatives from a range of local companies and organisations attended a ‘Life Ready Work Ready’ business breakfast network event to find out more about supporting young people and helping them make the transition from education to the workplace.
The council’s Life Ready Work Ready team hosted the session at The Wakes, Oakengates and employers that attended have all put themselves forward as business volunteers to support the programme and events and activities in schools.
Life Ready Work Ready helps young people to gear up for the workplace through work experience placements, office and workplace visits, mock interviews and CV workshops, assembly talks, networking sessions and a range of other events.
Employees from 13 businesses attended the network session where they learnt more about forthcoming events and the key role they can play in education environments.
They included Stacey Hinton, Film Maker at Telford & Wrekin Council, Ollie Eden and Jamie Haynes from The Crossbar Group, Lora Rogers and Katie McKeown from Telford College and
Leighanne Omisore and Peter Robinson from In-Comm.
The event was also attended by Steve Arnold from West Mercia Search & Rescue, James Johnson-Pickering from RRW Events Ltd, Matt Gregory from 1st Choice Insurance, Neil Phillips from Phillips Ltd, Jon Wellman, Enterprise Advisor at GoferBroke, Gwyneth Slaven from Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and Colin Thaw from SBC Training.
Events which are on the horizon in June and July include mock interviews at local high schools, careers fairs and ‘guess my job’ events at primary schools.
Business volunteers can commit as little or as much time as possible to the activities – from a few hours to full day events.
Councillor Eileen Callear (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Employment and Skills said: “Life Ready Work Ready not only prepares people for a work environment and the demands and expectations that come with this, it is also an opportunity for employers to inspire young people to consider their workplace as a future.
“Often young people are not aware of the variety of roles available within an organisation so this is also an opportunity for businesses to raise awareness of these roles and fill their skills gaps and address their recruitment needs.”
The next network event for business volunteers will take place in September which is open to current volunteers and also attract new ones for the start of the academic school year.
Eileen added: “We are very grateful to businesses who have volunteered to be part of Life Ready Work Ready and support young people in primary and secondary schools across the borough.
“Support from employers is fundamental to the success of this programme and ensuring our young people are well prepared for the work environment when they leave the classroom.”
You can find out more about Life Ready Work Ready here or if you would like to get involved, please email lifereadyworkready@telford.gov.uk
