Businesses are being urged to ‘inspire and influence’ prospective future employees by helping young people experience the world of work, despite the limitations imposed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
With many offices still closed and staff working from home, many standard work experience programmes have been temporarily shelved, meaning students have been left without that invaluable insight into their future careers.
Northampton College has launched a new Industry Placement Skills Builder programme aimed at developing the employees of the future while following the Government’s latest coronavirus guidelines. Pat Brennan-Barrett, Principal of Northampton College, said: “This year we are having to structure our programmes differently due to the pandemic. We are working on an in-depth programme of delivery to build employability; including technical knowledge, behaviours and skills to prepare students for the world of work.
“We recognise that these skills are integral to an employee and important in a young person being successful in beginning their career.
“With this in mind we have developed a new Industry Placement Skills Builder programme and are looking for industry specialists to work with us and support the development of employability skills in young people in Northamptonshire.”
The Industry Placement Skills Builder programme will see students given a weekly two-hour session and asked to complete a Self-Study Research Project.
It will explore potential career pathways in their chosen industry sector and examine the behaviours required of prospective employees. Students will be tasked with carrying out company research, identifying their mission, values and history while thinking more about their desired roles, career development and timeframe and developing job application techniques, CV writing, presenting and interview skills.
The college is keen to develop relationships with employers able to offer potential site visits, industry taster sessions or workshops, virtual ‘day in the life’ tours or come in as guest speakers.
Pat Brennan-Barrett added:
“Young people shouldn’t see their career aspirations put on hold because of COVID-19. We have a generation of talented and ambitious students ready and waiting to get on the job ladder and we want to make sure we do all we can to give them the skills they need to get going in life. “A vital part of that process is exposing them to the world of work and giving them an understanding of the 21st century workplace, ensuring they are ready to hit the ground running on their first day in the job. “To do that, we need the help of local employers. We need you to invest your time now in your future workforce, to inspire and influence our students, to open your doors (however ‘virtual’ that may be right now) and allow young people into your company to see for themselves what the future holds. “By working together to can help plug any skills gaps you have and keep that talent pipeline flowing – giving our young people an opportunity to showcase their skills and flourish as businesses emerge from the pandemic.”
If you are interested in supporting the development of employability skills in young people, email donna.rowland@northamptoncollege.ac.uk or call 01604 734323. For more information on Northampton College visit www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk
