The Equalex Pilot Project: providing a framework for modern work experience
Find out more about the equalex approach to work experience and how C+K have been piloting the project with placements in local businesses.
Earlier this year, C+K worked with schools, students and employers on the Equalex Pilot Project. The Equalex Pilot Project, designed by the Careers and Enterprise Company, provides a framework for modern work experience, and looks to guarantee that every young person will have access to high quality workplace experiences throughout secondary education.
To begin with, C+K careers advisers arranged work experience placements for groups of students from Batley Girls’ High School, Brighouse High School and Castle Hall Academy, planning visits to businesses in the banking, manufacturing and food manufacturing sectors.
C+K advisers then worked with the employers to create a programme for the visits, suggesting activities where needed.
“I was reticent that 4 hours might be overly long, but as it turned out it was the most successful visit we’ve had in terms of student engagement” Employer feedback
Once placements were arranged, C+K advisers held a preparation session in schools with each group of students, providing context for the visit and practical information needed for the day. During this session, students were also encouraged to make the most of the opportunity and ask lots of questions – something which they definitely did during their visits!
The following visits took place:
Lloyds Banking Group
Year 9 students from Castle Hall Academy visited Lloyds Banking Group in Halifax. They learned all about the banking sector, took part in activities which helped them to identify their skills and strengths, and worked in teams to create and deliver a presentation giving business advice to a small business.
McVitie's (part of the pladis Group)
Year 9 students from Brighouse High School visited McVitie’s (part of the pladis Group) in Halifax. Students learned all about the modern food manufacturing business, tested out McVitie's products and compared them to their competitors, as well as designing their own products.
HSL Chairs
Students from Batley Girls’ High School visited HSL Chairs in Batley, where they learned all about the modern manufacturing business, quality checked some chairs, and met former Batley Girls’ High School students who are now apprentices in the business.
De-briefing sessions
After each visit, advisers held a de-briefing session with each group of students to reflect on the placement. This was essential to making the visit meaningful for students and proved to be a key learning point.
“We gained confidence in doing presentations in front of people we don’t know” Student participant
“We learned about the different options for young people at Lloyds – Apprenticeships” Student participant
Project highlights included:
Students were able to gain an insight into a sector of work and an individual workplace, gain knowledge of the job roles and skills needed, and learn about aspects of work such as facilities for employees, different hours of work and employee benefits.
Schools benefitted by learning about what work placement visits could look like and the types of activities students could undertake, as well as ideas for work-related activity that could be used in a school setting. They also gained employer contacts and knowledge about the particular industry sector that their school visited.
Feedback from schools:
"We had an external assessor in school yesterday for our career standards and he spoke to a learner who mentioned about equalex and her positive insightful visit!"
"The feedback from students and staff was overwhelmingly positive. Overheard yesterday was, I wish we were going back to the McVitie's factory today!"
"They (the students) valued being asked for their opinions"
"You inspired conversations about a range of careers - expect applications in the future!"
Employers had a fresh audience to inform about their sector and the job opportunities within it, widening young people’s knowledge and understanding of a broader range of careers sectors which is beneficial for future career planning and future industry recruitment. As one of the employers we worked with said, “manufacturing and the food sector has a challenge in attracting young people, so it gives us the opportunity to promote ourselves as a viable career option and helps start the breakdown of outdated preconceptions”.
Employers also stated:
"Having young people visit the workplace is energising for those involved directly and colleagues on the shop floor, and their energy and enthusiasm is infectious"
"It's great to give back to our local community and champion our young people”
Reflecting on the project, careers adviser Sarah said: "It was great to be involved in this project and to get such positive feedback from the students and the employers involved. Seeing the young people grow in confidence and gain a greater understanding of the world of work was really rewarding. It is clear that the equalex approach has the potential to have a positive impact on young people’s lives and to forge improved links between employers and schools".
As well as benefitting students, schools and employers, the findings from the pilot project will now be used to support the continuing development of the equalex programme. To find out more about the equalex approach, see www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/modern-work-experience/
