East Sussex Careers Hub Case Studies As well as continuing to strengthen relationships with businesses, the focus of the Careers Hub over the coming academic year will be on further embedding careers across the curriculum.
2 IN THIS BOOKLET
Contents
Foreword...... 4 Opportunity Day ...... 30
Introduction ...... 6 Volunteer roles...... 32
Apprenticeships hit the road...... 10 Enterprise Competition...... 33
Gatwick Airport...... __14 Creative Café...... 34
Canary Wharf...... 18 Open Doors...... 36 iCan 2020 ...... 22 Industry Champions...... 39
The Depot Cinema ...... 25 Cornerstone Employers...... 40
Plumpton College...... 26 Give an Hour...... 42
MetalTech ...... 29 Apprenticeships bring in new talent. . . . 44
3 FOREWORD
Foreword
East Sussex County Council is proud to the breadth of employment, sectors, skills be one of the first wave of Careers Hubs and qualifications that are on offer in East The Hub has in the country, a key pillar in supporting Sussex, all of which are contributing to the made great the county’s approach to improving economy of the county . employment and skills opportunities for strides in its The case studies in this booklet highlight young people, and the talent pipeline of a number of the activities that have taken work with future employees for businesses . place in the first two years of the Careers East Sussex The Hub has made great strides in its Hub. We would like to thank all those who secondary work with East Sussex secondary schools, have taken part in supporting this work special schools and colleges to enable and giving young people in East Sussex a schools, special students to learn about the world of work, head-start in thinking about their future schools and raise aspirations and broaden horizons . careers . colleges. All of this could not have been achieved without the overwhelming support of local businesses. These businesses have helped to shape the Hub and showcase
4 The case studies in this booklet showcase a number of the activities that have taken place in the first two years of the Councillor Rupert Simmons Councillor Bob Standley Careers Hub.
Lead Member for Economy Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
5 INTRODUCTION
Introduction
The East Sussex Careers Hub was launched result has been a significant improvement in 2018, funded by the Careers and in provision against these national Over 130 Enterprise Company, initially as a two-year benchmarks over the past two years. businesses pilot working with all secondary schools, Business engagement has been the special schools and colleges in the county have signed bedrock to the success of the Careers Hub. to form an exceptional community-of- up as Industry practice . By linking schools, employers, The Hub has developed a network of over Champions, further education providers and 40 senior leaders from business to become universities, the aim of the Hub has been Enterprise Advisers, working strategically committing to with senior leadership in schools to drive to give students a sound understanding of promote their the changing labour market and the world up understanding of careers, the labour of work, enabling them to make informed market and enterprise amongst young sector to young choices about their future . people in the county . people. The Careers Hub has delivered training Over 130 businesses have signed up as and provided support to schools to help Industry Champions, committing to take them to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks of part in up to three meaningful employer Good Practice in Careers Education . The encounters per year to promote their
6 sector to young people, including careers involved in Science, Technology, events, mock interviews, project briefs, Engineering and Maths (STEM) . This booklet workplace visits and work experience. • Up to 300 young people with Special showcases a And the Hub is supported by a network of 15 Educational Needs and Disabilities small sample Cornerstone Employers, ambassadors who (SEND) attended the iCan careers event, have promoted the work of the Hub and enabling them to meet employers of the many encouraged other businesses to engage . and training providers from a range activities that of industries and receive help with CV Working with businesses, the Hub has have taken writing, interview skills and college delivered a number of initiatives to enable applications . place over the students to have a better understanding of the world of work, including: • Parental engagement sessions have past two years. provided parents and carers with a • The Open Doors programme enabling better understanding of careers and local businesses to host over 3,000 the changing labour market to enable students on workplace visits to gain them to better support their children . a better understanding of different workplaces and roles within them. This booklet showcases a small sample of the many activities that have taken • Apprenticeship Roadshows and place over the past two years. It gives an workshops have enabled over 3,000 insight into the support that the Careers young people and parents/carers to Hub and East Sussex schools have had meet with employers and training from local businesses and stakeholders to providers offering apprenticeships. provide young people with an insight into • Nearly 1,300 school students attended the the world of work and to help them make South East ‘Big Bang’ to meet businesses choices about their future .
7 The Open Doors programme enabled local businesses to host over 3,000 students on workplace visits to gain a better understanding of different workplaces and roles within them.
8 Beyond 2020: what next for across the curriculum, enabling young the Careers Hub? people to see the link between what they The Careers are learning and future employment; The Department for Education and the Hub will have developing interactive labour market Careers and Enterprise Company have a central role information resources; building on committed to ongoing funding for the Careers parental engagement and understanding to play as Hub model for the academic year 2020/21. of the labour market and careers; working the county The Careers Hub will have a central role with feeder primary schools to embed the moves towards to play as the county moves towards learning from the Primary Careers Hub economic recovery, following the Covid-19 pilot from 2019/20; developing the ‘Careers economic pandemic. Ensuring young people have a East Sussex’ web portal to host resources, recovery, firm understanding of the changing labour lesson plans and signpost young people market and that they are developing the right (and adults) to apply for courses and following employability skills and resilience to enter training; and working with education the Covid-19 the world of work will be more important partnerships between schools to build the pandemic. than ever. The opportunity for businesses to strength and sustainability of the network engage to the extent that they have over the beyond 2021 . past two years may be challenging as they focus on recovery, and yet the Hub have had firm commitments from a number of local employers to do just that. If you would like any further information As well as continuing to strengthen about the East Sussex Careers Hub, contact: relationships with businesses, the focus of the Careers Hub over the coming academic [email protected] year will be on further embedding careers
9 APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeships hit the road
Ben Barber had recently left his sixth form training providers, seeing for themselves studies. He said: “School just didn’t suit what apprenticeships can offer. “A lot of young me. I want to learn on the job, that’s how I Backed up by pop-up events in people aren’t learn, I’m more practical.” Karl was looking Crowborough, Hailsham, Heathfield, for an apprenticeship in car mechanics and aware that an Lewes, Newhaven and Uckfield, the agreed with Ben, saying “I’d rather do the roadshows coincided with National apprenticeship training in the workplace.” Apprenticeship Week, building on is an option.” Ben and Karl were among over 600 young momentum from the national campaign . people, parents and carers who took Sarah Sawyer, SCTP Marketing and Office Executive, the opportunity to visit apprenticeship SCTP Sarah Sawyer said the roadshows helped roadshows that took place in the county raise young people’s awareness. “It’s about in 2019. making sure young people know their Organised by the Sussex Council of Training full range of options,” said Sarah. “A lot of Providers (SCTP), the roadshows were held them aren’t aware that an apprenticeship in Eastbourne and Hastings, with young is an option ”. people able to meet 23 employers and 21 CONTINUES ON PAGE 12
10 11 This message resonated difference to young people, Sarah Sawyer with Tristan, a student suggests. “Employers and providers at Bexhill Sixth Form are the sector specialists. We’ve got the College, who found that employers telling the young people ‘this is visiting the Hastings what we want in an apprentice’, and that is roadshow was “a good invaluable advice.” opportunity to go out At the Hastings roadshow, Steve Allcorn and see what’s available.” from JTL Training told young people to: Face-to-face encounters “Be persistent, be polite, try and stand with employers and out from the rest, and offer yourself for training providers a work trial.” make a big Many of the young people visited the roadshows with a parent or carer. “School just “Getting the parents in is vital,” Sarah didn’t suit me. Sawyer added. “They will provide a lot of careers advice for their young people, I want to learn but they won’t necessarily have up-to-date on the job, information .” that’s how Miranda Jordan, attending the Hastings I learn, I’m roadshow with her son Ben, was delighted that the event was available: “My daughter more practical.” took a long time to get a job, there was Ben Barber nothing like the roadshows at that time. They are a brilliant idea, I think .”
12 “Be persistent, be polite, try and stand out from the rest, and offer yourself for a work trial.” Steve Allcorn 13 GATWICK AIRPORT
Gatwick shows pupils alternative airport careers
Gatwick Airport staff welcomed 1,200 Pupils took part in authentic airport East Sussex young people at Hailsham activities across the school hall and “I feel I should Community College in November 2019 for playground, supported by East Sussex be more an interactive roadshow about aviation Careers Hub staff. Flight, take-off and careers . landing simulators attracted lively crowds. open-minded, The airport security team taught students Paula Aldridge, Community Engagement working at the about X-ray imagery and learners heard Manager for Gatwick Airport, said: “The airport is not all about cyber security careers, a growth area purpose of the roadshows is to give for Gatwick’s IT department which detects about being a students across the region a more hands- 400 cyber-attacks across the world every on experience of STEM-related careers to pilot!” second. The attendees asked EasyJet staff encourage them to consider working in about cabin crew careers and tested their Wesley Dye the industry. The roadshows are part of mental maths in the ‘Retail Zone’ . Gatwick’s wider community engagement
programme which is designed to have CONTINUES ON PAGE 17 meaningful and lasting impacts in the local area and help Gatwick develop a pipeline of talent for the future .”
14 “The purpose of the roadshows is to give students across the region a more hands-on experience of STEM-related careers.”
Paula Aldridge 15 “In the past I’ve been put off apprenticeships owing to money, I had no idea what qualifications and salaries were available, but Gatwick offers viable pay rates and great training.”
16 Leonie Donald Paula is keen to highlight the lesser known airport specialisms, such as security, engineering and construction . Gatwick currently have 15 engineering apprentices and want to raise awareness of engineering amongst female pupils . Leonie Donald, 18 years old, said: “In the past I’ve been put off apprenticeships owing to money, I had no idea what qualifications and salaries were available, but Gatwick offers viable pay rates and great training ”. Students took away the message that Gatwick careers are rewarding and varied. “It was brilliant to see the students immerse Wesley Dye, 12 years old, said: “I feel I themselves in all the activities. I genuinely think should be more open-minded, working at the airport is not all about being a pilot!” the pupils’ perception of STEM subjects and careers Paula said: “It was brilliant to see the at the airport changed for the better.” students immerse themselves in all the activities. I genuinely think the pupils’ Paula Aldridge perception of STEM subjects and careers at the airport changed for the better .”
17 CANARY WHARF
Hastings pupils’ horizons broadened at Canary Wharf’s finance sector
Students from Hastings and St Leonards raise aspirations amongst young people and “Meeting people visited Canary Wharf in London in June to show pupils London job opportunities.” 2019 to experience the world of global in the finance The students prepared for the trip with finance. Some of the world’s biggest tailor-made lessons in school, delivered sector helped multinational financial services companies by enterprise coordinators . The pupils welcomed 106 students to their offices, pupils realise researched the businesses and drafted including Citibank, ANZ Bank, Clearstream, that this was questions for their Q&As with employees. Fitch Ratings and Barclays . Hastings employers and enterprise a future they The Hastings Opportunity Area Broadening advisers helped the young people to role could easily Horizons working group introduced the play networking meetings. trip to show selected students the career have.” On arrival at Citibank’s UK headquarters, opportunities that exist within large the students were welcomed by Action Cordelia MacMillan corporates beyond their home towns. Jackson, a motivational speaker. Anne Spackman, Chief Executive of co- Students joined Action Jackson on stage organisers Career Ready, said: “We put on to talk about their future ambitions . the Hastings Comes to Canary Wharf event to CONTINUES ON PAGE 20
18 “The students were blown over, stepping out of the Tube, looking up at the skyscrapers, to what felt like New York.”
Cordelia MacMillan
19 He called on students to make a fantastic Cordelia MacMillan, Assistant Principal at first impression when they spoke to Hastings Academy said: “The students were Below: Canary Wharf employees. blown over, stepping out of the Action Jackson Tube, looking up at the skyscrapers, to Students took part in Q&As and speed what felt like New York – it was a step into networking with financial service unknown territory. But actually it was a real employees and toured the Canary Wharf reality check because, meeting people like skyscrapers. Alyssia (13) from St Leonards the workers at Citibank, they realised that Academy, said: “I thought it was really cool this was a future they could easily have.” how everything works. I was expecting it to be really busy with people running After the success of this year’s event, the around, but everyone was really calm and Hastings Opportunity Area team intends everything worked very smoothly.” to bring more Hastings and St Leonards students to Canary Wharf soon. Alexandra Filip, a Citibank analyst, said: “I know how important the opportunity to attend a masterclass at companies like “You are the secret weapon Citi is in informing young people about hidden in Hastings. As you the world of work. The information young walk round here today, people gain from these interactions gives you never know, you them a better understanding of the roles might meet someone available at large companies, how best to who could be your future present themselves to future employers, employer!” and the chance to interact with new people outside of their networks.” Action Jackson
20 Website: www.hastingsopportunityarea.co.uk Some of the world’s biggest multinational financial services companies welcomed 106 students to their offices.
21 iCAN 2020
iCan: inclusive careers opportunities for all
For students and young people who own pace, taking part in activities ranging “It was a require additional learning support, from taster coding lessons and mock crowded events such as careers fairs interviews to tractor simulators and short tremendous can feel like an incredibly challenging film screenings, with careers guidance shared effort environment. The iCan careers event was professionals on hand to answer questions. created to focus on introducing students and there CONTINUES ON PAGE 24 who have special educational needs were powerful and disabilities (SEND) to opportunities outcomes for for professional growth that they may our young otherwise find difficult to access. people.” 300 young people from 27 East Sussex schools and colleges attended the Fiona Wright, all-day experience in January 2020, which Assistant Director was specifically tailored to address their of Education and needs. Throughout the day they were iSEND at East Sussex given the opportunity to meet and chat to County Council people from 47 local businesses at their
22 23 The event proved to be extremely I was pleased when he said I treated him beneficial for students and employers like a normal person ”. Below: Henrietta Still, alike, with the friendly and supportive Enterprise Coordinator Looking back at the event, eight out of ten environment helping students to feel for SEND from East employers agreed that iCan had helped comfortable and understood and many Sussex Careers Hub; to improve their understanding of young Caroline Ansell, MP reported having learnt about career people with SEND. for Eastbourne and opportunities they had never considered. Willingdon; Councillor Rachel Groves, Social and Sustainability With planning for next year’s iCan already Bob Standley, Lead Manager from construction firm Volker underway, the Careers Hub team hope to Member for Education Fitzpatrick said: make it an even bigger and better event and Inclusion, Special for as many young people as possible in Educational Needs and “The range of visitors was vast: from the East Sussex . Disability two lads in care who were trying to work out what to do next, to the beautiful group from the special needs class, to the 14-year-old boy with autism who already has GCSE Maths and is home educated;
For information on joining us at iCan 2021, please contact: enterprisecoordinator @eastsussex.gov.uk
24 THE DEPOT CINEMA
Close encounters for Lewes businesses and schools
The Depot Cinema and Priory School hosted Diana Uprichard from Dolly Clothing “Knowledge of an Employer Encounters event in January added: “Knowledge of running your own 2020 to encourage Lewes businesses to get business is really important for students, running your involved with careers education. especially for young people with an own business is interest in creative areas such as fashion The Depot welcomed representatives of and textiles ”. really important Lewes Chamber of Commerce and 45 local for students” companies to a lively networking session Depot’s HR Manager Petra Rinne Lovelock over breakfast. Local business people were said: “Sharing career journeys, providing Diana Uprichard urged to reach out to Priory School pupils work experience, giving behind the by offering work experience and taking scenes tours or speaking at assemblies part in school careers activities. are all great ways of promoting your business, your industry and inspiring our Suzanne Asher from Asher Planning said: local students. It doesn’t have to be time “There’s not that much information about consuming for businesses to support property careers in school . It’s true of a young people and even the smallest lot of jobs. The more careers that young businesses can contribute .” people can be exposed to the better ”.
25 Students cleared trees from sensitive areas where heavy machinery would damage wildlife habitats, harvesting the timber for use in schools’ arts projects.
Left: Toby Goodhew
Green-fingered students gain employment skills
The challenge of getting more young involve the young people in projects and people into horticulture and land day-to-day estate activities. The students management is being addressed by a joint The students joined with National Trust joined with venture between a local college and an staff and volunteers to work on diverse East Sussex beauty spot . National Trust woodland tasks. Some students, using Plumpton College, and the National Trust- protective waders, worked in the lakes staff and owned Sheffield Park near Fletching, have to remove invasive water weeds. Others volunteers to for many years co-operated on various cleared trees from sensitive areas where work on diverse projects. However, in late 2018, the College heavy machinery would damage wildlife saw an opportunity to enhance their habitats, harvesting the timber for use in woodland tasks. relationship . schools’ arts projects. Working together, the College and the Before the April 2019 bluebell season, Trust arranged for 30 students to visit students laid wood chip paths for Sheffield the Park estate every week. The aim was Park’s visitors. Level three students helped to enhance the students’ skills, create a to plant hundreds of trees, introducing closer link with the Sheffield Park team and hazel and sessile oaks to make a more
27 diverse habitat for endangered species take away National Trust principles into such as dormice . other environments,” he added. Sheffield Park staff are confident that Plumpton College is also benefiting from nurturing this relationship will create a working with the National Trust. The talent pipeline into the National Trust Sheffield Park shop has begun to stock and other land-based employers . Tom Plumpton Estate’s award-winning wine Hill, Trees and Woodland Officer, said: produced by the College’s viticulture and “Young people are under-represented oenology students . After strong sales, the in horticulture, forestry and countryside College is also supplying National Trust Below: Bill Hill and management .” The National Trust team shops across the South East . Tyler Thomas-Gray expect that the experience will better prepare young people for their future land-based careers . There are other hidden benefits for the National Trust in this collaboration, according to Park and Garden Manager, Andy Jesson. “Working with students with different learning styles is helping Sheffield Park staff to develop and to become stronger as a team,” said Andy . He says that drawing in young volunteers to work at Sheffield Park could also help the Trust to promote itself to wider audiences. “It’s a chance to influence, so that people
28 METALTECH
Involving parents transforms work experience for Metaltech
Metaltech is a precision engineering booked in for 2020 . This year the company Metaltech company based in Hailsham, East Sussex, also interviewed 12 young people for two which supplies its products to a global apprenticeship positions and no longer interviewed market. The company is thriving but has needs the help of an external company to 12 young found it difficult to recruit young people. recruit its apprentices . people for two The company is tackling this issue by Director Alec Hill said: “Staff are engaging apprenticeship involving parents in students’ work more with the work experience placements experience interviews. This helps students and the staff feel more part of the wider positions and feel more comfortable when they visit the community, because they are working with no longer needs work experience placement and it also local students. Staff really appreciate the the help of raises MetalTech’s profile with the parents. thank-you letters from students too .” an external This has increased demand for work Since becoming a Cornerstone Employer, experience placements. In 2015, Metaltech has expanded its educational company to Metaltech hosted just one student on outreach beyond Hailsham to support recruit its work experience. In contrast, six people secondary school students in Uckfield, apprentices. applied in 2019 and three are already Lewes, Plumpton and Eastbourne.
29 OPPORTUNITY DAY
‘Not Your Usual Careers Day’ for Hastings students
Hastings Opportunity Day gave Year 10 Group. Employers were given complete “Students will be and 11 students from Hastings and St freedom to design an interactive workshop Leonards-On-Sea in East Sussex a unique of their choice to showcase their industry. biting my hand opportunity to meet local employers . The off to attend in half day event took place on 26 November the future!” 2018 and was marketed as ‘Not Your Usual Careers Day’. It offered students the Graham Morris, chance to participate in real-life industry Careers Leader of activities with local businesses. Ark William Parker Academy Students signed up for industry workshops, including 3D design, social media, politics, conservation and sports leadership. Enterprise Advisers who volunteered included manufacturer Marshall-Tufflex, accountants Ashdown Hurrey, media consultant Tony Dillon and business advisors the Let’s Do Business
30 On Hastings Opportunity Day itself, Quinn, a Year 11 student, said: “From students visited their chosen employers all the information they gave us it made Above: Hastings Fire at workshop venues throughout Hastings me realise I wanted to do physiotherapy Station, Bohemia Road, and East Sussex . Supported by East Sussex instead of personal training .” Hastings Careers Hub staff, students took part in “Participating students worked harder a medical emergency simulation at the in class afterwards because they were Conquest Hospital, designed displays at motivated to achieve the grades they The Hastings Museum and cooked seafood needed for their career,” said Graham dishes using catch from the Hastings Morris, Careers Leader of Ark William fishing fleet. Parker Academy. He added: “Students will be biting my hand off to attend in the future!”
31 VOLUNTEER ROLES
Volunteer roles grow skills and confidence
Cuckmere House School specialises in The weekly visits have become an integral The experience providing opportunities for their students, part of their learning . Once back at school all of whom require some level of social, they discuss what they have been doing and has been emotional or mental health support . The record their experiences in a written logbook beneficial for students are encouraged to take part in to put towards their award progress. the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme as staff at the park The experience has been beneficial for part of the curriculum and, in 2019, a group as well as the staff at the park as well as the students, of Year 10 and 11 students signed up for with team members developing new ways students. volunteer roles with the National Trust to to improve their communication and fulfil all four elements of the award. explain tasks . Since July 2018, student groups have been Glenys Lonsdale, National Trust working alongside staff at National Trust Volunteering Coordinator, said: “We are property Sheffield Park to get stuck into a delighted to be working with Cuckmere wide variety of different activities. Their day- House and further committing to the to-day tasks range anywhere from picking National Trust’s aim of ‘For Ever, For up leaves to, as one student says, “the worst Everyone’.” activity, getting rid of the mole hills!”
32 ENTERPRISE COMPETITION
Enterprising ideas from Eastbourne students
On 12 March 2020, local students took to finance their plans, through to how to Throughout part in the inaugural Eastbourne Schools design and develop a product that people Enterprise Competition, sponsored want and how to market their product to the day the by W.Bruford jewellers and hosted by their target audience . participants Gildredge House School with the East Each team presented their business plan Sussex Careers Hub. were guided to a panel of judges and Uckfield College by local With their eyes on the prize – a team trip emerged victorious, with a watch designed on the Brighton i360 – the teens from to provide data on diabetes to the wearer, professionals seven schools were challenged to design their family and healthcare providers. The through the a new smart watch and pitch their ideas judges awarded the college the top score challenges to a panel of judges. for their confident and witty presentation, a thoughtful concept and strong future of working in Throughout the day the participants were expansion plans. Other teams were guided by local professionals through the world of commended for their health and wellbeing the challenges of working in the world of focus and consideration of sustainable business. business. They covered everything from materials . how a small business starts up and how
33 34 CREATIVE CAFÉ
Creative Café highlights different career paths
Bexhill College called on creative task that developed employability skills organisation Culture Shift to give their relevant to their industry. Culture Shift The Creative students an insight into future careers in helped the students to start conversations Café made East Sussex. Culture Shift ran a Creative by providing them with a list of questions Café event in March 2019 to introduce to ask the employers . eight out of 174 students from Level 2 hairdressing, The Creative Café made eight out of ten ten students barbering, childcare, and health and social students more aware of different career more aware of care to local employers . pathways and opportunities. different career A range of employers sat at tables arranged in a café style, with one employer pathways and to a table . Eighteen East Sussex employers opportunities. took part, including PGL, Bannatynes Hotel and Spa, East Sussex County Council Learning Disability Service, the NHS, and the De La Warr Pavilion. The students chose one employer to sit with and learn from and the employers gave students a
35 OPEN DOORS
Open Doors encourages young women into key industries
Open Doors is an East Sussex Careers Hub construction and engineering . initiative that brings small groups of young The students The students learnt about the many people aged 13-18 into workplaces to learn learnt about diverse jobs in construction and about the variety of job roles on offer. In engineering, as well as the career the many November 2018, Heathfield Community development opportunities. On their College took ten students on the first ever diverse jobs in journey home, the group discussed their Open Doors visit targeting female students construction future career plans in a mature and to help close the gender imbalance in informed way. and particular industries . engineering, Open Doors took students into two as well as East Sussex businesses: construction For more information company Cheesmur, and engineering the career and road maintenance company East about hosting an Open development Sussex Highways. The students toured Doors visit at your opportunities. the businesses and heard from female employees about their roles and their workplace, please contact positive experiences of working in enterprisecoordinator@ 36 eastsussex.gov.uk Open Doors took a group of students to visit the Rampion off-shore windfarm. 37 The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve was another destination for Open Doors. 38 INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS
‘Industry Champions’ help young people on road to success
Businesses of all sizes across East Sussex which deliver schools activities on at least Industry have been invited to become ‘Industry three occasions a year . Champions’ by representing their sector Champions Industry Champions were part of 1,500 at school careers events. Since 2016, connections between students and were part 129 freelancers, staff teams and whole employers in the 2018/19 academic businesses have signed up to take part in of 1,500 year and greatly contributed to 2,000 activities such as career fairs, inspiration connections interactions in the Open Doors workplace days and work experience. events for schools in November 2019. between The East Sussex Careers Hub connects students and local employers and employees to employers in schools and colleges that are looking for For more information about volunteers, saving schools time and making the 2018/19 the connection with businesses easier. becoming an Industry academic year. An Industry Champion digital badge and Champion, please contact certificate can be earned by businesses enterprisecoordinator@ eastsussex.gov.uk 39 CORNERSTONE EMPLOYERS
The Cornerstone of School and Industry Links
Cornerstone Employers work closely with young people to get involved in their sector: the East Sussex Careers Hub and Hastings Cornerstone • In recognition of the anxieties teenagers Opportunity Area . They act as ambassadors, Employers suffer around exams, social enterprise linking their business contacts with clusters of The Let’s Do Business Group partnered host business secondary schools and colleges, influencing with Robertsbridge Community College careers strategy and ensuring that young breakfasts with to provide one-to-one mentoring people can learn from employers . There are local employers sessions for Year 10 and 11 students, 15 Cornerstone Employers in East Sussex: to increase their confidence and to promote Astec Computing, AXA, Cheesmur, De La communication skills . the benefits of Warr Pavilion, East Sussex County Council, G M Monk, Hastings Borough Council, Hastings • In summer 2019 alone, manufacturing connecting with Contemporary, the Let’s Do Business Group, company Marshall Tufflex took part schools. LoveLocalJobs, Health Education England, in ten careers events, with staff Marshall Tufflex, Metaltech, Talkative Online, giving careers inspiration to over 100 and The Depot Cinema . students, at six schools and colleges, offering work experience days, careers Cornerstone Employers have not been fairs and factory tours . afraid to try new methods to encourage
40 Cornerstone Employers host business breakfasts with local employers to promote the benefits of connecting with For more information about schools, and regularly speak at Chamber of becoming an Cornerstone Commerce events. Seven of the businesses Employer, please contact act as Enterprise Advisers, providing strategic support to individual schools. enterprisecoordinator@ Others are active members of Skills East Below: Scott Monk Sussex Sector Task Groups, or host work eastsussex.gov.uk of G M Monk Ltd, an experience, careers and apprenticeship Electrical Contractors talks and offer mentoring programmes. based in Eastbourne. • Eastbourne-based electrical contractors GM Monk worked with Hailsham Community College to design a window “I would urge fellow employers in sticker that Hailsham businesses East Sussex to contact the Careers can display to show that they are supporting the school . Hub and get involved. It doesn’t have to take up a huge amount of • During the Covid-19 pandemic, Lewes-based Cheesmur Building your time, but it could make a big Contractors, in collaboration with difference to young people and Hailsham Community College and East your industry in the future.” Sussex Careers Hub, produced videos to inspire young people to enter the Scott Monk, construction industry . G M Monk
41 GIVE AN HOUR
‘Give an Hour’ campaign takes off
Dozens of employers are lending their Freelancers, talents and business expertise to help local students . who previously found it difficult A ‘Give an Hour’ campaign was developed to encourage employers to volunteer a to make time small proportion of their time to help to volunteer, students to navigate their careers. Since the March 2019 launch, 58 employers appreciate that giving an hour is a appreciate that have taken part. realistic ask . Alex Marden put herself giving an hour is forward, hoping to raise awareness of The scheme has proved popular with “the hundreds of jobs involved in film- a realistic ask. many business people – for different making.” And Richard Milton believes the reasons . Alex Marden, a self-employed art scheme will attract young people into his director, and Richard Milton, a director at industry. He said: “By linking in with local ECF Car Care are two examples. schools we can bring students in straight Freelancers, who previously found it from education and mould them to our difficult to make time to volunteer, culture and ways of working.”
42 “By linking in with local schools we can bring students in straight from education and mould them to our culture and ways of working.”
Richard Milton, a Director at ECF Car Care
43 “As an apprentice, I feel I’m able to contribute to the business and offer a new perspective.”
Maria
44 APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeships bring in new talent
Apprenticeships are a valuable, hands-on schools, to address a lack of understanding The County way for people to achieve a qualification, around how apprenticeships work. and provide businesses with the skilled Council funds East Sussex employers are actively workers of the future. This is something encouraging learners to get involved with Apprenticeship that East Sussex County Council, along apprenticeships too . ICT company Astec with schools and employers, have made Roadshows to Computing has delivered presentations a priority to promote to students when enable over to over 700 11 to 19-year-olds. Maria guiding them through their next steps . Leonard (18) and Jake Taylor (22) began 3,000 young The County Council funds Apprenticeship their careers at Astec as apprentices and people, parents Roadshows to enable over 3,000 young encourage other young people to give and carers people, parents and carers to meet with apprenticeships a try . CONTINUES ON PAGE 46 employers and training providers offering to meet with apprenticeships . See case study on page employers 10 for further details . and training Apprenticeships in Sussex also runs providers. workshops and Q&A sessions in local
45 The County Council has also promoted apprenticeships to businesses through a successful webinar. Held in April 2019, Sussex Council of Training Providers delivered the online session, outlining why apprenticeships could be a more attractive option than some employers realise . The achievements of apprentices across the county were celebrated in the first ever Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony at the Devonshire Park Conference Centre in Eastbourne in September 2019, attended by employers, training providers, Achievements apprentices, their friends and family . of apprentices across the county were celebrated in the first ever Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony in 2019.
46 47 JULY 2020 · 20-21 051