richm

ond

business and educa

tion roadshow

08.10.10 Twickenham

Rugby Stadium

Richmond Business and Education Roadshow

Post-event report and recommendations

November 2010

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Linda McPheeProject Lead

Rob ReedEvent Manager

Kathryn WilsonEvent Administrator

Clare Huntingford and Denise ToyeEmployer links leads

Barbara PlimsaulRUTC lead

Anne Newton and Dave WarnesChamber of Commerce leads

Event management team

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On Friday 8 October the Richmond upon Thames 14-19 Partnership welcomed over 1,200 young people from all 10 borough secondary schools, including the two special schools, and further education college to an interactive Roadshow. There were over 100 local employers and educational providers who supported the event and made it such a successful day.

In October, the 14-19 Partnership commissioned an audit of apprenticeship provision within the borough in response to the central government’s commitment to one in five young people accessing this provision by 2020. The report identified the ongoing need for impartial information advice and guidance for both potential employers and students. A localised apprenticeship and vocational curriculum raising awareness event was commissioned, based on the touring model used by the National Diploma Service in 2008.

A project team was set up in spring 2010 and funding agreed through the 14-19 Partnership.

Key groups who supported the event:

• Apprenticeship Group: representatives from NAS, schools, colleges and training providers

• Curriculum Development Group: representatives from all schools and colleges

• Information, Advice and Guidance Group: representatives from schools and supporting services

• Richmond upon Thames College: Training Solutions team

• Richmond Education Business Partnership: representatives from staff and local business community

• Chamber of Commerce

The Richmond Business and Education Roadshow

Background

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Programme for the day

7.30 – 9.00 Business breakfast

9.00 Stadium guided tour for employers

09.00 – 09.25 Think Differently Presentation (Waldegrave)

09.25 – 09.45 Workshops: Work Life or Student Life (Waldegrave)

09.45 – 10.10 Market Place (Waldegrave) Think Differently Presentation (Hampton Academy)

10.10 – 10.45 Market Place (Hampton Academy) Workshop: Carol Giffiths, Pearson/Edexcel (Waldegrave)

10:50 Waldegrave stadium tour

10.45 – 11.10 Workshops: Work Life or Student Life (Hampton Academy)

11.15 Hampton Academy stadium tour

11.05 – 11.25 Think Differently Presentation (Grey Court)

11.25 – 11.45 Workshops: Work Life or Student Life (Grey Court)

11.50 – 12.10 Market Place (Grey Court)

12.15 Grey Court stadium tour

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12.30-1:30 Market Place (RuTC, Teddington, Clarendon and Strathmore) Tailored Think Differently Presentation (Clarendon) Student Life workshop (Teddington)

13.05 – 13.25 Think Differently Presentation (Christ’s and Richmond Park Academy) 13.25 – 13.45 Workshops: Work Life or Student Life (Christ’s) Market Place (Richmond Park Academy)

13.50 – 14.10 Market Place (Christ’s) Workshops: Work Life or Student Life (Richmond Park Academy)

14.15 Christ’s and Richmond Park Academy stadium tour

14.05 – 14.25 Think Differently Presentation (Orleans Park and Twickenham Academy)

14.25 – 14.45 Market Place (Orleans Park) Workshops: Work Life or Student Life (Twickenham Academy)

14.50 – 15.10 Workshops: Work Life or Student Life (Orleans Park) Market Place (Twickenham Academy)

15.15 Orleans Park and Twickenham Academy stadium tour

15.30 Roadshow close

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The day began with a business breakfast hosted by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce to which all of the employers and training providers were invited (about 50% attended the breakfast). The breakfast meeting was also attended by Richmond education leaders and members of the Council, including the Mayor. The programme for the meeting included presentations on the work of the National Apprenticeship Service and the skills agenda within a local context. After the business breakfast an optional tour of the Twickenham rugby stadium took place.

Evaluations highlighted the success of the business breakfast, which included:

• raising the profile of the work of the Chamber of Commerce with councillors and educational leaders;

• networking between business and education representatives;

• deepening understanding of the opportunities that the business community can offer students, including apprenticeships; and

• future training opportunities for education and support services staff.

Business breakfast

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Jamie Edwards has wide experience of working with all groups of young people in motivating and re-engaging them in education.

Each session provided an interactive learning experience to develop understanding of the event and to motivate the students to make the most of their visit.

Evaluations from staff were positive and included the following comments:

• Perfect for first session. Teachers were put at ease and Jamie created a buzz and a sense of anticipation for the follow on sessions.

• Each school group very different and Jamie was able to capture the attention of the students skilfully.

• The deputy headteacher from the special school, Clarendon, was impressed with the bespoke session and the sense of purpose he was able to instil in the group to help them enjoy the market place.

• Managers were grateful for the individual support given to the more challenging students.

• Timing was an issue – organising room and settling students down shortened Jamie’s time.

Opening session: Think DifferentlyMotivational speaker, Jamie Edwards

One-off workshop: CarolGriffiths,Pearson

A tailored keynote speaker for Waldegrave School for Girls was provided to encourage students to aspire to leadership positions in careers.

“The introduction was really good and not boring at all and I think the market place was really helpful. I learnt quite a lot. Very helpful!”

“I wasn’t

confident in myself

about my career and

thought I was dumb and

couldn’t do anything. But when

I went there I learnt that if I’m

passionate about something in

my career, then I can achieve

anything, and if I try my

best, it’s all that

matters.”

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The Workshops

Workshop option 1: Work Life

Students from the secondary schools were offered a choice of two workshops; Work Life or Student Life. The sessions were led by representatives from local learning providers and were supported by students and employers. They provided an opportunity to find out more about opportunities available and a chance to ask questions or speak to people after the main talk.

Purpose:The workshop presenters focused on progression to further and higher education, including Oxford, and gave a flavour of student life and practical actions to increase success in choosing the right course.

Panel representativesRepresentative from Richmond upon Thames CollegeStudents and staff from St Mary’s University CollegeRepresentative from Oxford University admissions department.

Strengths of the workshops:

• Students provided information

• Awareness of different routes post-16

• Opportunity to speak to presenters individually, groups from each school stayed behind to ask questions to the Oxford representative

• Information in the Work Life workshop was considered useful for students and teachers, particularly regarding apprenticeship route

• Workshops formal but relaxed.

Purpose:To increasing awareness of the apprenticeship route and apprenticeship opportunities within the local area.

Panel represenatatives:The National Apprenticeship ServiceTraining provider: Way to WorkConnexionsRichmond upon Thames CollegeLocal apprentices and apprentice graduates.

Workshop option 2: Student Life

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The Market Place

The room was organised into employment sectors and marked out using coloured balloons. Colour keys were distributed on postcards to students and displayed throughout the venue. It was visually exciting and the colourful decoration worked well in welcoming the young people into the Market Place area.

The students had the opportunity to talk to employers and training providers about a range of careers, gain information and take part in interactive demonstrations.

Strengths of the Market Place

• A lively interactive learning experience

• Over a 100 employers available to provide information and support information, advice and guidance

• Youth and volunteering services strong presence

• Richmond Education Business Partnership representatives provided overall support to employers and young people

• Students had been prepared for the event and were able to find out about the areas they were interested in during the time available.

“The Market Place was very good because we could talk to people that had more experience and talk to them face to face.”

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Evaluations from students

I now have a better understanding of different employment areas

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

1

I am now more aware of the opportunities available to me

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

1

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Students rated the information they received from employers as:

Excellent (25.9%)Good (44.4%)Average (19.7%)Not very good (6.17%)Poor (3.70%)

Students rated the information received from the experts in both the Work Life and Student Life workshops as:

Excellent (20%)Good (50%)Average (22.5%)Not very good (2.5%)Poor (5%)

Roadshow student ratings

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Overall Market Place Workshops

Area

Excellent Good Average Not very good Poor

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Employers’ feedback

How would you rate this event in providing the right setting for young people to develop their understanding of career

opportunities?

02468

10121416

High - 5 4 3 2 Low 1

Series1

How useful was the information received prior to the event?

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Very Useful - 5 4 3 2 Not at all - 1

Series1

How would you rate the organisation of the Roadshow?

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

High 5 4 3 2 Low 1

Series1

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What did employers enjoy most about the event?

• The buzz, excitement of the young people and their enthusiasm. Great atmosphere

• It was well organised, which made exhibiting easy

• Breakfast and networking - interaction with other organisations and exchanging information, particularly about apprenticeships

• The pace of event and the number of children

• Giving young people some ideas of what they could achieve with their talents interests and aspirations

• Talking to young students about career possibilities within our organisation

• Showing young people what the food and beverage sector can offer them

• The unpretentiousness of the event and the good atmosphere between employers and REBP

• The enthusiasm from exhibitors

• Short time slots meant high energy for short period followed by period of calm

• It was brilliant! The event was wonderful and the whole experience was a joy. Well done to all concerned.

Would you be willing to take part in similar events to support young people in the London Borough of Richmond upon

Thames?

0

5

10

15

20

25

Yes No

Series1

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It is unlikely that funding for an event of this nature will be available through the Richmond 14-19 Partnership. Although the group worked within a budget of £15,000 this does not include the additional staff costs for the management of the whole project.

The Business breakfast was organised by the Chamber of Commerce and therefore did not require any additional support from the project team. Positive feedback was forthcoming from all groups who attended. Many of the employers who were there went on to join the Market Place to provide up-to-date information and insights into the world of work.

It is strongly recommended that the Chamber of Commerce are invited to attend a future event.

Programme for the eventThe day worked well with all groups of students being able to access the experiences on offer.

Opening speakerThe opening motivational session was highly successful and set the tone with everyone to make the most of the occasion and experiences being offered.

It is therefore strongly recommended that this is included in future events.

WorkshopsStudent LifeThe idea in principle was good and should have worked more effectively. However, it is recognised that not enough time was put into the planning and it did not quite hit the mark with all groups.

One of the suggestions is for representatives from post-16 providers, including Oxford, to be included within the market place, to enable young people to ask questions, seek advice.

Work LifeA success! The presenters, including apprentices created the right learning experience for the young people who attended this session. The lively mix of presentations, first hand stories from apprentices and opportunity for questions worked well.

It is strongly recommended that this workshop is offered again with schools or college being able to book sessions in advance.

A big thank you to Mary Castledine and Barbara Plimsaul and all apprentices who supported and led the Work Life sessions.

Summary of the roadshow and recommendations for a future event

“Good information with what college to go to and what career to follow and a bit of inspiration on my future life.”

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The Market PlaceThe students had the opportunity to talk to employers and training providers about a range of careers, gain information and take part in interactive demonstrations.

Strong recommendation to offer a Market Place, along similar lines and appropriate for a chosen model of activities.

Models for consideration

Model 1A similar scale event is held every two years and the schools make a contribution to cover all costs. There is the potential for income generation through sponsorship, and marketing exhibition space.

Model 2 Reduce the scale of the event to just the Market Place.

Model 3The Richmond upon Thames College has a similar event in April which could be developed to include group(s) from schools.

Model 4A smaller scale focusing on students who are assessed as foundations learners(students unlikely to secure a Level 2 who are working at C-G and entry level)

Next stepsAll groups involved in the planning to be consulted (see page 3). A decision to be agreed regarding a model for a future event.

Thank you to all who contributed to the planning and organisation of the roadshow as well as those who were involved during the day.

www.richmond.gov.uk/roadshow

There are still student and school staff evaluations outstanding. Even at this late stage, any additional feedback will be most valued to further contribute to a future event.

www.richmond.gov.uk/roadshow

Apprenticeship Steering Group

• Timing of students in Market Place short and fresh. Short time kept attention of students better than standard careers evenings for couple of hours

• Transport provided for schools was crucial in facilitating event and ensuring control over numbers and timing of arrival

• Positive feedback received from staff and students (Grey Court)• Feedback from students (evaluations) is difficult to capture. Online evaluations only

gathered small amount. Paper forms given out on day need to be manually collated.• Tracking of students to see proportion taking up vocational pathways in future. This can

be used to back up funding required for future events. It is accepted that this data is difficult to gather.

• Skills Surgery included in the Business breakfast – capture employers at breakfast to make more aware of apprenticeships route.

Models discussed• Model 1 preferred by majority of the group depending on funding available. Market

Place a strong element but not on its own. • Model 2 also an option, but with training providers and apprentices included.• Model 4 with foundation learners as the targeted group who need more guidance on

options. However, more young people may need advice and guidance regarding the apprenticeship route with rising costs of HE.

Curriculum Development Group

• Grey Court considered this to be the best event ever provided by the local authority

• Year 10 felt to be right year group (rather than Year 11)• Twickenham Academy felt that two schools at the same time was too much and that the

afternoon slot was not ideal• Richmond Park Academy visited both the roadshow and the Skills London event and

felt that the roadshow was superior • Waldegrave students wanted to attend both Student Life and Work Life (rather than

chose) • Tight timescale, especially in Market Place• Venue held prestige and was aspirational for the students• Stadium tour for students highly successful• Connexions staff received good feedback from students• Youth service involvement, high profile and positive.

Models discussed

• Group agreed that Model 1 open to all students is the preferred model.

Feedback received from the Apprenticeship Steering and the Curriculum Development groups