Skills and experience are crucial when it comes to securing your ideal job and your future, and Kingsbury Green Academy pupils will be a step ahead of their competition thanks to the school’s in-depth careers programme.
In preparation for Year 10’s work experience week next July, pupils from across the year have been given an intensive session in preparing for the world of work and how to present their skills to appeal to potential employers.
After a special assembly led by business psychologist, Jan de Jonge, to boost pupils’ confidence and get them to start thinking positively about their own skills, pupils were tasked to write their CV from scratch. Whilst many 14 and 15 year olds have limited experience of the working world, they were guided to highlight how experience that might not seem directly relevant at first glance has actually taught them many relevant skills that would be attractive to an employer.
Year 10 pupil Adyan, who is considering a career in law, real estate or science, said, “I’d never written a CV before and it’s something you don’t necessarily think you need to learn how to do. My advice for those needing to write one is to just go straight for it, promote yourself and how well you can do things – really sell yourself.”
Pupil Harmony, who also took part in the day, added, “I learnt why CVs are important and that it’s also really important to ask questions during a job interview too. I didn’t know how to write a CV before, but now I do and I’m really pleased that school covers this, as well as giving us the opportunity to get work experience too.”
Feedback from families has been very positive too. Pupil Mia explained, “My mum was surprised that we were doing this in school, she said she had never had the opportunity to learn it. But when I started writing my CV I realised I had skills from things I didn’t realise I could include. For example, two years ago I was a host on a ski trip and from that I learnt lots of skills like staying positive, listening well and being courageous.”
Pupils are now approaching businesses that interest them to apply for work experience. Kingsbury Green Academy pupil Katie is already ahead of the game having secured her placement at a local pre-school , which she hopes will help her clarify her interest in teaching and education.
Cath Young, Careers Leader at Kingsbury Green Academy, said, “It’s so important that our pupils are ready for the world of work when they leave us, but quite often young people realise that when they leave school they don’t know how to approach employers or apply for jobs.
“We have a very rich and varied careers programme at Kingsbury Green Academy, that not only introduces pupils to opportunities open to them but also guides them in the best way of securing training and employment. We also regularly bring businesses into school so that pupils can become used to talking to potential employers and they know what sort of skills and experience they would be looking for when the time comes for them to apply for jobs.”
Kingsbury Green Academy’s Year 10 pupils will be undertaking work experience from 1-5 July 2024 and Year 12 will be on work experience from 8-12 July 2024. If any local businesses would be interested in getting involved, please contact Cath Young on 01249 818100.