Work Experience & Employer Encounters
Employer encounters and workplace experience are crucial aspects of the Beckmead Trust’s careers programme. Choosing the right future pathway and entering into the world of work can be very daunting and overwhelming for many of our students.
For this reason, we strive to provide our students with as much real-life opportunities and experiences as possible, so that they can learn first hand about the labour market and the working world.
Palace for Life "Game On" Social Mobility Programme
"Game On" is a 6 week employability programme that comprises of work-related workshops 2 days a week. Along with these workshops, students receive individual support for further personalised development.
during this time, students meet different employers, and learn about;
Personal Branding
Effective Decision Making
Positive Pathways
Effective CV Writing
Emotional Intelligence
Finance and Budgeting
Technology and Digital Skills
Social Action and Community Values
A few of our students who are avid football fans, had the privilege to meet with Crystal Palace's under 21 / Reserve squad .
National Apprenticeship Show at Sandown Racecourse
This year we were allowed to physically attend the National Apprenticeship Show and Higher Education Expo at Sandown Racecourse.
These shows bring students together with employers and training providers that offer all levels of Apprenticeships from intermediate, all the way through to Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.
Student's engaged with employers and training providers to learn about different career pathways. One of our students signed up with Kwik Fit on the day, and secured an apprenticeship to start in September !!
The British Army Career Outreach Event
The recruiting team from the British Army delivered fantastic career workshops and team building activities to our year 10, 11, 12 & 13 students.
A military police officer gave a talk on his career journey into the army and showed student's videos about the different training opportunities available to them.
Students then took part in activities led by Non Commissioning officers from the Scots guard Infantry and Rifleman regiments
Student's listened intently to the varied career journeys of the different soldiers.
The Fairfield Hall Tour
Students from BPA and CBU were given a great opportunity to go behind the scenes of Fairfield hall and interview the casting director and production manager.
This was a fantastic time for students to learn all about the many roles involved in performing arts.
Students were amazed to find out that the production manager started his career volunteering for Fairfield Hall.s 12 years ago.
University Visits
Raising students' aspirations is at the heart of our Careers programme. This year students visited Kingston and Surrey Universities.
Students were given guided tours around campus - visiting lecture rooms, living accommodation (dorms) and sporting facilities.
Students were amazed at how normal university life was, and also how achievable it could be for them to attend one day.
Employer & Employee Encounters
During the Covid -19 pandemic, some of our regular career activities and enrichment events were delivered remotely in response to us following the Government guidelines.
Throughout the periods of lockdown, employer and employee encounters were carried out remotely.
Students adapted well to these changes and were still able to experience some wonderful engagements and enrichment events with various managers, from Pret A Manger, Providence Insurance, the team at Mulalley construction and various other businesses.
Further Training Opportunities for our Year 11+ Students
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is a leading skills qualification within the UK construction industry. Most contractors and major builders require anyone working on building sites to hold a valid CSCS card.
Therefore, we are thrilled to announce that the Beckmead Trust can now offer this qualification to students who currently study construction as part of their vocational studies.
Gaining a CSCS card qualification will provide them with greater opportunities to secure paid employment once they leave Beckmead.
One student was over the moon when he gained his CSCS card qualification
Construction tutor, with a student who had just achieved his City & Guilds Health & Safety in a Construction Environment qualification, and his Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Green Card.
We would like to say a big massive thank you to all our friends and partners at the Crystal Palace Community Trust, Mulalley Construction, Pret A Manger, Talentino, Amazing Apprenticeships, Chelsea FC, Runway Training, Prevista Ltd, the National Literacy Trust, Care Trade ltd, City Electrical Factors, Subway, the DWP and all the rest of our career partners for continuing to support us in raising our students aspirations.
Please let us know if you, or someone you know, is interested in offering our students a placement for Work Experience?
Some of the benefits that providing work experience can bring to both you and our students...
Contribute to enhancing students confidence and self-esteem.
Utilise an extra pair of hands, from a student who is keen and capable to participate in daily tasks within your organisation.
Strengthen the links between education and business.
Raise the profile of your company/organisation within the local community.
Fulfilling corporate social responsibility by making a concerted effort to operate in ways that enhances society and the lives of the people in your local area.
Enhance the brand image of your company.
Raise morale in your workplace.
Help students to see the commercial application of the skills they have acquired at Beckmead.
Enable students to gain a positive insight into the world of work.
For more information about becoming a Work Experience Partner please email me at ghiggins7@beckmeadtrust.org
