Work experience with Bristol WORKS
This year’s National Careers Week (6 to 10 March) saw Bristol WORKS lead more than 2,000 experience of work opportunities in partnership with local employers – this included over 250 experiences for learners with additional needs. For the keen learners, on offer were a variety of activities from designing and marketing ice cream to getting to grips with the building trade. Below is just a taste of what was on offer:
On Monday 6 March, ad agency Clear Channel visited a class of Year 8 students at Ashton Park School to talk about careers in advertising and the future of media. Students learned how to hook an audience and make adverts that grabbed the attention! It was also the start of a two- week work experience programme at Ravenswood School, including finding out about all things studio and film with an online reverse interviewing session with Bottle Yard Studios and delivery partner Sixteen.
Sixteen delivered multiple reverse interview sessions over the week – it proved to be an effective way of delivering insights about the world of work with students asking the questions. One of the businesses quizzed was Arca who shared all about their dog-walking business, how many dogs they can walk at the same time, some of the challenges (picking up lots of poo!) and the different kit they need to do the job.
On Tuesday New Fosseway students tested their green fingers by getting them muddy – weeding and sowing seeds – ready for harvesting in several months’ time. It was their own gardeners’ world, using all the tools of the trade to plant their veg.
Mid-week saw digital sessions for students across Bristol, with online workshops courtesy of the NHS, University of Bristol, Ashton Gate, Clear Channel, Avon Wildlife Trust, Clayton Hotel, Waste Source, Hill, Waitrose, Wilmore Iles, Bristol Old Vic, Channel 4 (and our own Bristol WORKS Skill Session!) as part of the Cabot Learning Federation, Raising Aspirations Event.
Thursday had students from Northstar 240 Academy checking in at Mollie’s Motel in Cribbs Causeway. They got an insight in to the roles and how a motel/hotel runs. In the diner they had a milkshake and mocktail masterclass and even got to make and enjoy their own.
At the end of the week Willmott Dixon ran a hands on session for pupils from Kingsweston special school where learners got familiar with building materials and found out how homes and roads are built – lots of sensory materials such as sand and clay really bought the world of construction to life.
Kingsweston students also got to visit Avon Gorge Hotel. They got to see behind the scenes and learned how to balance objects on trays like professional waiters (using oranges instead of glasses!), and how to fold napkins and lay tables like the real hoteliers do!
