Mrs Tweddle
Career Academies
“From a parent’s perspective,this
BUSINESS MENTORING
is such a fantastic opportunity for kids to get out to the workplace and feel what it is like - with no pressure on them. If a job came out of it, that would be even better. But it will be a good experience anyway.”
Mrs Anthony “Career Academy is a great opportunity for my son. It has really helped him to focus on his studies, as it gave him a goal to aim for. I am really proud of him for being chosen. The match with Farrel D’Souza (Wood Group) is particularly good as he does the job Kurtis wants to do. It makes it more relevant to him. This way, he’ll be happier. It’s great for Kurtis’s cv.
Ms Rennie’s View Career Academies has operated in England for over ten years and we are extremely fortunate to be one of the first schools in the north east to participate in the scheme. The programme targets students who are potentially 2—4 Higher candidates, who perhaps lack confidence, focus or motivation. Students are matched with a partner in business (mentor). The match takes account of the students’ perceptions about their future and current academic programme of study. During the course of their S5/S6 years, students will regularly meet with their mentor, where the mentor will provide support with career planning and help the young person to orientate him/herself towards a planned positive destination from school. The programme also includes Guru Lectures, Business Visits and seminars. One of the most attractive elements of the scheme is the five week paid internship, which takes place during the summer holiday. In this section we hear from parents and students involved. We hope they find it really positive.
Kurtis Anthony “On my work experience I was put through multiple engineering disciplines. The work experience was arranged through Oldmachar Academy with Wood Group PSN. I was particularly interested in Instrument Control Engineering. I just found that more interesting. I get on well with my mentor already. He is really interesting.”
Jonathon Tweddle
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“Hopefully this experience will give me a good insight into the world of work and a more mature mindset. The match with Centrica is good for me as I hope to enter the oil industry on the engineering side. The initial meeting with my mentor was good. He told me about how he was involved with different companies. He project manages chemical engineering projects. Overall, the programme seems like a really good opportunity.”
Hunter Inkster (BoS) “My boss was approached to ask if anyone would like to take part in this project. It’s a good development opportunity for me. I can pass on my experience about what I have learned in developing my own career. To help someone enter the job market is a really good thing to do.”
Business Mentors Career Academies help to identify mentors to take part in this scheme. Many of the businesses involved feel this is a good way to ensure that they address their Corporate Social Responsibility. Many also value mentoring as an important area of professional development, helping employees to develop greater awareness of their own roles and career aspirations. Mentors have to commit to providing support for a young person. They commit time and energy to ensuring that their mentees experience a valuable introduction to the world of work. This programme helps the school find more effective ways to plan positive destinations beyond school and to meet a core entitlement for pupils in Curriculum for Excellence. In this section we hear from some of the people who will be mentoring our young people this session. We thank all of them for their help.
Sean Bryson (CNR) “I got asked to take part. My first conversation with my mentee was fine. He seemed grounded and he had a very good idea about what he wanted to do with his future. This makes it much easier. For me, the project is two-fold.: it will help me to develop; for my mentee, he can get exposed to the operation and in time this might lead to other opportunities. Whatever happens, it is good for his cv.”
Farrel D’Souza (Wood Group) “I wanted to get involved in this programme. I was a graduate myself. I know what it is like to be at the crossroads, deciding what you are going to do. It is a good way to give something back. I am an Instruments and Control Engineer, working for the Wood Group. My mentee has impressed me. He already stands out.”
Gillian McGeough (Sparrows) “As a former student of Oldmachar I was pleased to be approached to take part. I thought initially I’d mentor a young female engineer. But, now I realise that the programme is about more than passing on information about your job. It’s about helping the person find their pathway and passing on experience. The student I am mentoring has an interest in both finance and engineering. I am looking forward to helping her learn about project engineering. The scheme is really good. I wish it had been around when I was at school.”
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