Sofia supports careers day with a difference at Grange Learning Centre
Reverse jobs fair gives special needs students the chance to prepare individual 'stands and talk to local employers about their dreams and aspirations for the future.
Event enabled students to showcase their interests to local employers
Sofia attended the first ever careers day at Grange Learning Centre however instead of the usual event where students visited stands of suppliers, this one reversed the process and potential employers visited stands prepared by the centre’s students.
The Grange Learning Centre in the North East provides fully integrated therapeutic, education and care to a small group of young people with special educational needs. It offers a highly personalised, structured curriculum for pupils to ensure positive learning and social outcomes for all.
The ‘reverse careers day’ was an initiative developed by the centre to better cater to the needs of the pupils than conventional careers fairs. The young people taking part prepared a table of photos and material showcasing their interests and passions, with employers having conversations with them based around what was presented and their hopes for the future. It was part of the centre’s aim to help the young people achieve their full educational potential and develop their social communication.
The project was supported by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership's (NELEP) North East Ambition programme, which supports all schools and colleges in the region to achieve the Gatsby Good Career Guidance Benchmarks by 2024. Working in partnership with education and industry, it aims to ensure each and every young person in the North East has access to quality careers education.
Teacher Marie Appleby said: “Those involved spoke about their interactions for days after the reverse careers event, which is huge for our young people”.
A total of four students were involved in the day alongside six employers including Sofia’s education consultant Mike Cargill who said:” I really enjoyed talking with the students, and the ’reverse’ idea worked extremely well as it gave easy openers for the conversations to flow from”.
Follow this link to find out more about NELEP's North East Ambition programme.
Nov 2022
