A local secondary school approached Career Connect for help finding an effective way to meet Gatsby Benchmark 6 (Experiences of the workplace) for their Year 12 students. 

Our advisers met with key school personnel and agreed that students would be offered the opportunity to have a 2-hour focused session with employers from a selection of occupational areas, delivered at Career Connect’s Head Office. The encounter would provide students with: 

• meaningful encounters with employers
• the opportunity to attend a formal meeting in a workplace, 
• help them to develop a good understanding of the skills required for work. 

Access to local employees in growth sectors

In response to student choices, we identified suitable local employers from growth sectors and invited them to deliver a session with students. These included Balfour Beatty, Jackson Lees Solicitors, ACCA, Signature Living Hotel Group, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, The Royal Court Theatre and American Airlines.  Each of these employers agreed to attend and worked with Career Connect staff on the creation and delivery of employer engagement sessions for groups of up to 15 students at a time.  

The employer engagement sessions provided students with the opportunity to attend a workplace setting and have in-depth discussions with employers about career entry routes, employment opportunities and the skills needed to be successful in work.  

Feedback on attainment of Gatsby Benchmark 6

Feedback from employers, students and the school was excellent with the school hoping to repeat the programme in the forthcoming academic year.

School feedback:

“The employers presented their information very well, had a lovely manner and engaged with the students.  It was great for our students to hear first-hand from an employer about the skills needed for a career.” 

Student feedback:

“I found the session really informative and I especially liked the informal nature of the talk.  It was great to be able to ask questions and get answers.” 

Employer feedback:

“I hope, I gave information and advice that the students will benefit from and that will make a difference to their careers. It was nice to connect with a younger generation. The students were very pleasant, attentive and appeared engaged all the way through.’ –