Up to 132 students will be taking part in a graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievements since joining Better Learners Better Workers (BLBW), a programme that gives schools a chance to develop job-ready skills and behaviours in specific sectors.
BLBW has 12 schools taking part this year, including nine in Sheffield, two in Rotherham and one in Doncaster. Most of the schools are based in areas of high social deprivation and low social-economic mobility.
The graduation ceremony will take part on 8 July at The Culters’ Hall, which also marks 400 years since the organisation was established.
The programme started in 2010 and is led by The Cutlers’ Company, prestigious leaders of engineering and manufacturing in South Yorkshire, who work in partnership with Sheffield City Council and employers to deliver the programme for a range of sectors across South Yorkshire.
About Better Learners Better Workers
Better Learners Better Workers is an employer-led programme that provides young people with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they will need to be successful in the world of work to develop their job-ready skills and behaviours.
At the heart of BLBW are student Ambassadors aged 13-16, who enjoy a range of high-quality employer encounters, experiences and challenges, both in school and in the workplace.
The programme is focused on specific employment sectors to allow young people to develop more in-depth knowledge and understanding of the world of work based on their interests.
At the end of the programme, each Ambassador gains an employer-endorsed Skills Passport based on the BLBW Skills Builder Framework, co-created by employers with education partners.
Case study – Astrea Academy BLBW Ambassadors
This month, nine BLBW Ambassadors from Astrea Academy visited BDP’s offices and BAM’s Sheffield Hallam University building site to gain insight into construction careers.
Diana, a BDP architect who has been involved in the design of the new SHU buildings, talked to the students about what a day in the life of an architect involves.
She shared the skills needed to become an architect and the career path she had taken to becoming fully qualified. The Ambassadors were surprised to hear that this can take a minimum of seven years to achieve.
Diana was also able to offer alternative career paths, which could be taken following the completion of an undergraduate architectural degree in roles including Urban Planner, Production Designer and Interior Designer.
The Social Value Manager and Graduate Trainee Site Manager at BAM then led the site visit. The Ambassadors were able to compare the site to their previous visit in January and were able to discuss the progress that had been made.
The programme has supported the Ambassadors at Astrea Academy to develop several skills including, teamwork, problem solving and presentation skills.
Through visits such as these, the Ambassadors have increased their confidence when speaking to employers. Engagement in the programme has also enabled the Ambassadors to make informed choices regarding the GCSE options and their future career aspirations.
Sarah Ward, Programme Manager for The Cutlers’ Better Learners Better Workers, said:
“We’re keen to ensure that all students are aware of all opportunities within the Construction industry. The students have excelled themselves and asked us some challenging questions about how the building has developed from its initial stages to now.”
Opportunity Sheffield has been linking schools with students aged 13-16 years, interested in routes into construction, to the BLBW programme.
To find out more, call Nichola at Opportunity Sheffield: 07388 385 584 or email: nichola.burkinshaw@sheffield.gov.uk
To find out more, visit The Better Learners Better Workers website.
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