National Careers Week 2022
What a week we have had at Bristol WORKS!
This week was National Careers Week and Bristol WORKS, in conjunction with our delivery partner Sixteen, have delivered 30 face to face and virtual sessions across 5 days! Supported by our fantastic employers, WORKS have delivered over 2033 experiences of work across schools including 113 experiences of work to support our learners with additional needs.
Here is the run-down of some of the highlights from this week:
Monday kick-started with a bang as students from Ashton Park School had a tour and visit at Ashton Gate Stadium. They heard from a range of different speakers and got to see many different departments across their visit. One student’s feedback was ‘“it taught about working hard and to take every opportunity I get”. Students were also lucky enough to meet players from Bristol Flyers and to hear from Scotty Murray about his career journey. In the afternoon, University of Bristol interacted with students through a web link covering STEM with a focus on cell biology – this was followed up with a careers panel.
Tuesday was just as jam packed with Elgan Jones delivering an assembly and workshop for the students of St Bernadette’s School – there were definitely some property developers in the making as students decided which site they wished to purchase using specifications! Alongside this, we had a cooking masterclass where students from Knowle DGE learnt how to make Eggs Florentine! Simultaneously, our delivery partner, Sixteen delivered some amazing virtual sessions including reverse interviewing with a mix of individuals and “When I Grow Up” Sessions focussing on what makes a good employee and positive behaviours in the workplace. Students got really involved and asked lots of amazing questions throughout the workshop – especially asking Rob and others about their career journey.
As we reached the mid-week, New Fosseway students had an incredibly exciting visit to Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity. Despite the mud, students had a blast exploring the different areas and projects on-going at the site. Fleet Mechanics also got stuck in with National Careers week answering questions and discussing the day to day jobs as a mechanic as well as sharing a tour with students. Students from North Star, Kingsweston and Knowle DGE learnt what the different tools were used for alongside the apprenticeship opportunities and career pathways available – one student added “I enjoyed all of it – teaching about real jobs from a real apprentice” .
Across the city, Signature Recruitment put the pressure on, as Year 11 students from St Bernadette’s had to select candidates for a very specific job role. They put in their all and gave great arguments for why their candidate should get the job!
Wednesday afternoon saw the WORKS Team take part in Raising Aspirations where we ran 5 different virtual sessions simultaneously for students across the Cabot Learning Federation schools. Our sessions were supported by the NHS, Avon Fire and Rescue Service, Engie, BJSS and Andy Colwill! What a buzz we had from learning that 1,400 Students were tuned in across all workshops!
Thursday was no let up either – The University of Bristol were back and this time for a face to face session exploring plants from a biological perspective. Students dissected various plant matter to decide if in fact they were vegetables at all! A more creative approach to the afternoon as we had both an art session with Andy Colwill and a virtual session for careers in the theatre by Bristol Old Vic for students of North Star 240 and Oasis Brislington – It was a inspiring way to round up the day.
It is now Friday (phew) and to round off the week Bristol Old Vic and Zubr met with Year 9 students to showcase the variety of backstage careers in the theatre. Students at Oasis Brislington were able to use AR to create a production set using archived materials! Sticking with Oasis Brislington, the afternoon changed track as FD Works challenged the stereotypes of the financial services as well as providing the opportunity for students to meet an apprentice and hear what a day in the life looks like!
And that’s a wrap! What a crazy and incredible week we have had at Bristol WORKS. We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our amazing schools for getting stuck in with the programme we put on offer and not forgetting a massive thank you to the on-going support of every single employer who took part in the week – we couldn’t do it without you!
We already can’t wait for National Careers Week 2023! Watch this space!