Working with employers
Calling all employers - working with Thomas Clarkson Academy
At Thomas Clarkson Academy, we recognise the importance of engaging with employers and offering students the opportunity to experience the world of work. This could be through careers events within school, work experience, talks from professionals or visits to work sites. These types of activities are vital in ensuring that our students are ambitious in their personal goals and that they are prepared for making future choices, and ultimately entering the work force, whether that be from university, college or through an apprenticeship.
We rely on employers working with us to deliver these experiences and ensure students are aware of the opportunities available not only within their local community, but also nationally and internationally. We appreciate your time is valuable, but would welcome the chance to discuss how you feel you could be involved - we’re happy to work with you to agree your commitment. For example you could:
- Host a stand at our Careers Event – details TBC
- Provide a work experience placement (Click here to read employer feedback on last year’s work experience)
- Come in to give a talk about your profession to interested students.
- Take part in a careers activity – we often run these in conjunction with the Skills Service and employers share their knowledge and experiences with students, set them challenges or work with student groups to achieve a goal.
- Interview our students – enabling students to practice their interview skills and understand how they need to prepare. Each year, we look for people to interview our Year 13 students.
- Facilitate a visit to your work place, allowing students to get a really good idea about what you do and how a work place operates.
Q&A with an employer we have worked with
Name: Neil Kirby
Company: Stainless Metalcraft Ltd
Position: Apprentice Training Manager
Activities: Stainless Metalcraft hosts an event for Year 10 students in conjunction with the University of Cambridge, which is an introduction to engineering through a bridge building challenge. The feedback I receive is very positive.
We also offer a work experience program for Year 10 students interested in a career in engineering.
The benefits of engaging with students: It benefits us because we offer opportunities for students to experience the working environment in an organisation that they may not have otherwise thought of. This could lead to them beginning a career in engineering and becoming the next generation of engineers within our organisation.
Companies in all types of industry should offer students the opportunity to experience the workplace environment.
Q&A with an employer we have worked with
Name: Marcia Davies
Company: Anglian Water
Position: Community Education Team Manager
How has Anglian Water worked with TCA?
Anglian Water has engaged with the staff and students at TCA in a number of different activities – from mock interviews to delivering whole days during Grab a Grade week, focusing on STEM and geography. With one of our partner organisations, Capgemini, we have also run ‘App in a Day’ for Year 12 students. During this activity, students work in teams to design a technological solution to reduce water consumption in agriculture, business, homes, while protecting the environment.
Another activity we have delivered is the ‘Water Supply Challenge’ challenging teams to design, cost, build and test a water supply network - a creative way to learn.
How have the activities been received by students?
The activities we are involved in are always well received by the students. They are all designed to enhance the students’ employability skills (problem solving, communication, working under pressure, deadlines, negotiation skills, teamwork, organisation skills, etc).
How does it benefit your organisation to work with our students?
Anglian Water is committed to making a difference in the communities we serve. The existing and planned growth for the region requires a diverse skilled local workforce and we believe working with schools and teachers to inspire students in order to raise their aspirations and attainment is vital. We are committed to improving social mobility and improving diversity in our work place.
Why do you think other companies should get involved?
Working with schools not only develops the students by raising attainment and aspiration, it also has a positive effect on our workforce who get involved, and helps develop their employability skills.
Click on the links below to view some of the ways in which companies and organisations have worked with us to offer our students an experience beyond the classroom.
Anglian Water helps students explore careers in engineering
Tata Consultancy Services talk to students about careers in ICT
Capgemini discusses degree apprenticeships into the digital sector
HIT training delivers chef skills workshop
Metalcraft demonstrates the careers in engineering
For more information or to find out how you can get involved, contact us at office@thomasclarksonacademy.org or by calling 01945 585237.
We look forward to working with you to create an inspiring future!