Stroud District Council has launched a new initiative to ensure that schools and local employers provide work valuable experience programmes for pupils. Called the Skills for Stroud Work Experience Charter (www.skillsforstroud.org.uk) it is part of the council’s commitment to improve employment prospects for young people.
Every year around a thousand year ten students undertake work experience in our district.
Councillor Geoff Wheeler, doctor leader of Stroud District Council said: “We’ve all heard stories about pupils spending their placements making tea or photocopying, sales hence our aim is to ensure that young people undertaking work experience benefit from genuine, seek worthwhile experiences that prepare them for the world of work. Hopefully they will finish their placements better informed about the skills employers need and with more knowledge to make decisions about their future careers. Applying to be assessed for this charter mark shows that schools and businesses are serious about helping the workforce of the future.”
Linda Zieba, teacher and work experience co-ordinator at Archway School, said: “I’ve waited years for something like this. It’s about getting both the schools and the employers involved in work experience.”
Seven companies and two schools took part in a pilot programme in advance of the launch of the scheme this week. Skills for Stroud is now open to any businesses and schools who wish to apply.
Pat Sparkes, head of human resources at Calcot Hotels said that having their work experience programme assessed by SDC was invaluable:
“Initially we had a process in place but as we opened our programme up to more students we needed to make it much more structured so it was good to have a set of criteria to measure it against. We discovered that our programme was up to scratch but we were also glad to receive some pointers to improve it even further.”
Trained SDC staff assess schools and businesses using criteria derived from national guidelines developed by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Association of Colleges. Those who don’t achieve the standard are provided with help and guidance so they can reapply.
Councillor Wheeler added: “The pilot scheme has already been a tremendous success. With businesses as varied as engineering, telecommunications, a vet’s practice, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, a hotel, and two schools showing a very high level of commitment to providing serious work experience opportunities for students, the future looks extremely promising. We do not charge organisations for assessment under the charter as it is one of our initiatives to improve employment opportunities in our district. Aside from benefiting students, high quality work experience programmes are also an excellent way for businesses to encourage students to become staff and apprentices of the future.”
An award ceremony was held on Monday at Forest Green Rovers for those who took part in the initial pilot and achieved the Skills for Stroud standard. Geoff Wheeler and council chief executive David Hagg presented certificates and plaques to the successful organisations. The first organisations to achieve the new standard are:
- Archway School
- Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School
- Calcot Hotels
- Arc Energy
- Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
- Vale Vets
- Rosemary Robinson of ARC Energy Resources added: “Engineers are a dying breed – but we need to inspire the future workforce to get involved in this field. We are heading for a shortage of engineers – but it’s not all about getting covered in oil! If schools want to use us for their pupils to have work experience and see what we do – please do contact us.”
Any business or education provider interested in having its work experience programme assessed for the Skills for Stroud Work Experience Charter should visit www.skillsforstroud.org.uk or call 01453 754320.