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School pupils see the world of work

Students from a County Durham school have been exploring the world of work as part of an Apprenticeship Awareness Programme.

Young people from Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe are taking part in the second annual initiative which involves six local businesses.

More than 100 year 9 students took part in a carousel of workshops last month, dubbed “speed networking”, when the six companies involved gave the youngsters a short insight into what they do.

The tutor groups were then allocated one firm to visit and get to know more about them and Apprenticeship opportunities.

Finley Structures, SWDT, A-Tech Fabrications, Ebac, Gestamp Tallent and the Bignall Group are all taking part, which will see the young people go head-to-head in a challenge to make the best presentation about their allocated firm.

The programme is to give students an insight into Apprenticeships while also educating them about how some of the region’s biggest employers are facing up to a tough economic climate.

Company representatives, including current apprentices, very much impressed the school group with their knowledge, enthusiasm and confidence.

Pauline Hadwin, HR Manager at Finley Structures, said: “It’s good to involve schools in order to provide an understanding of working life practices and the opportunities that are available within the local area.”

Woodham’s head of year Vikki Fawcett says the programme helps the school’s continuing commitment to a ‘wider school experience’.

“In order to provide a valuable alternative to college and university,” she said.

“We need to be taking learning out of the class room and into the real world.”

The school students will now spend the next weeks and months preparing for a presentation which will be given to luminaries from their school, the council and the local business community.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .