LOCAL BUSINESS AND STUDENTS COME TOGETHER TO CREATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The event was aimed at bringing together local companies with pupils from the Tewkesbury-based special educational needs school to help increase provision for work-based experience and employment opportunities for students both during their final years at school and post-16.
“Many of us will remember taking part in work experience placements during school, which can provide valuable insights into the workplace, real-life experience and the opportunity to explore career paths,” said Claire Steel, Headteacher at Alderman Knight School.
“However it is becoming increasingly difficult to source opportunities for pupils, even more so as a special educational needs school, and we want to promote the skills our students have to local employers – many of who will go on to part and full-time employment or further education.”
Alongside the Mayor of Tewkesbury Town and Chairman of the Town Council Cllr John Badham, a range of local businesses attended the event including Cotteswold Dairy, 3D Driving, Chamberlains Stationers, Colour connection, Roberts Express Delivery and Speller Metcalfe.
“Aside from wanting to support local communities through our building projects, we understand how valuable learning opportunities can be for students who are trying to find out what career path they want to take,” said Andy Metcalfe, Joint Managing Director at Speller Metcalfe.
“We try to promote construction as an industry for all, whether it be the more technical career paths, site-based roles from operatives to managers, encouraging more women into construction – there are so many varied options. This lunch has shown how much variety there is for pupils in Tewkesbury alone and we would encourage other local businesses to develop links with the school to support students however they are able.”
To speak to the school about developing business links for students, please contact Business and Operations Manager Matt Peplow on 01684 295639 or mpeplow@aldermanknight.gloucs.sch.uk.