HANDS-ON CAREERS EDUCATION

When it comes to learning about different career paths, nothing compares to hearing directly from real-life professionals. Having access to people in various fields means students can ask detailed questions about these careers, what the day-to-day work looks like, what they need to know, learn or have an interest in, and how they can take steps to get there. However, for many schools, establishing valuable links to professionals from a wide variety of sectors can be challenging.

Introducing The Inspiration Programme provides schools with assistance in unpacking a wide range of career opportunities, invaluable for their students.  With broadened students’ aspirations, they are encouraged and more receptive to consider further education and employment opportunities.

Well-rounded careers education should demonstrate direct links to the foundation subjects within the curriculum, while linking to the real world. With this in mind, one of the most important parts of careers education and support is to provide students with the opportunity to engage in meaningful experiences with an added emphasis on allowing students to leave the classroom and enter real-life situations.

Making a change

With an overall goal of better equipping young people for the world of work, The Inspiration programme focuses on helping students to understand what their role in society is and to realise their future potential. Through this, the Programme enhances existing provisions and creates brand new opportunities for young people. This includes giving access to important elements of our community: work life, arts and culture, police and criminal justice, community and environment as well as personal health and wellbeing.

For example, young people can be properly supported through effective training on the importance of welfare. It’s vital to give young people an understanding of just how important mental health is as well as physical health to their overall wellbeing, and what factors can contribute to this. This could include a combination of workshops, seminars and practical sessions so that students engage with the course from numerous perspectives. For example, approaches could vary from a workshop exploring the topic of self-confidence, a visit to an active fire station to learn about the importance of fire safety during an emergency or a discussion on various communication methods and the impact this can have on mental health and overall wellbeing. An open dialogue on wellbeing is equally as important as gaining real-life experiences that can better prepare students for the world of work.