Member Article

Thousands of young people set to take part in Wearside's Second Work Discovery Week

THE SUCCESS of an event which brought together North East businesses and Sunderland schools has led to it being run again – even bigger and better than before.

Work Discovery Week- Sunderland took place last year for the first time, with more than 2000 young people and 40 top companies participating.

The mix of careers fairs, challenges, workshops and visits was hailed as such a trailblazing initiative that it was then held up nationally as an example of best practice.

And now the event is set to take place once again, running from June 30 to July 4.

A number of top businesses from around the region are sponsoring the event, which is also being supported by core partners Sunderland City Council, SAFC and North East Chamber of Commerce.

Headline sponsors include Nissan, catering giants 3663, Arriva, Gentoo, Sunderland University and Sunderland College with additional support from The Bridges, Accenture, Liebherr Works, Calsonic Kansei, Northumbrian Water, TRW and Grundfos.

The week is an initiative from Sunderland’s Economic Leadership Board – Business:Schools Task Group who recognised the need to forge stronger links between companies across the region and school pupils on Wearside.

Alongside the creation of Work Discovery Week a number of sector days are also planned throughout the year, giving pupils from across Sunderland the opportunity for unique insights into a wide variety of industries.

Work Discovery Week will include an opening event on June 30 with a “what not to wear” fashion show, careers fair and a range of demonstrations and workshops.

Other highlights throughout the week include a “tea challenge” where schools have been asked to devise an afternoon tea with the winning team taking over the city’s Marriott Hotel during the week. This year the reach of WDW will be even wider than before, with the first day careers fair being extended to 16-18-year olds who can visit between 3pm to 5pm and with an evening session aimed at parents and carers.

Gary Hutchinson, commercial director of SAFC and co-chair of the task group, said: “Work Discovery Week-Sunderland was such a huge success last year and forged relationships which have continued on since then.

“The support from businesses across the region has been superb and we’ve achieved everything we set out to do and more.

“It’s very gratifying that this has worked so well that it is being held up in other areas as an example of how schools and businesses can work together.”

Cllr Harry Trueman, Deputy Leader Sunderland City Council, said: “Work Discovery Week has been held up as a blueprint for a successful partnership between schools and business and after the huge success of last year it’s extremely rewarding to know that not only is it back for a second time but that even more companies are involved this time round.

“This initiative continues to go from strength to strength and is giving young people in Sunderland a real opportunity to build relationships and find out more about the world of work.”

A number of sponsorship packages are still available for the week, ranging from headline sponsors to exhibition stands at the careers fair being held on the first day.

Copies of the sponsorship pack are available by calling Sorted PR on 0191 265 6111 or emailing bernice@sortedpr.com.

The week will conclude at the Stadium of Light on Friday July 4 with presentations by the schools, in response to a problem solving challenge, to an audience of business representatives.

Businesses and schools are also being asked to follow the event on twitter @WDWSunderland.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sorted PR .