Embracing Apprenticeships for future Career progression.
As a new initiative at Poynton High School we have introduced a programme of study for our 16-18 year old students to look at alternative options to university. This came as response to government changes to funding for university, increases availability of higher level apprenticeships and student requests.
The Employ programme has now been successfully developed in school, and working in conjunction with local apprenticeship providers we have successfully trained and placed students in businesses across the north-west. The programme contains introductions to apprenticeship schemes, how to assess the validity of these placements, as well as application and interview techniques.
We work with the Apprentice Academy to provide fast track assessment days for students to enable them to have practical experience applying for positions before they leave the Sixth Form. Students have been highly commended by the Academy and businesses for their competence at interview and their knowledge of apprenticeship schemes.
In our current Year 13 we have 15 students enrolled on the programme. This cohort of students have so far been successful in gaining placements with Network Rail, Astra Zeneca, and Grant Thornton. The other students are currently completing interviews and assessment days for placements starting in September. One student stated “This programme has really enabled me to have confidence going into interviews, I can answer questions effectively, knowing I have researched the company well before hand.”
Last Year we were successful at placing 18 of our 20 students before the end of their academic year in Level 3 apprenticeships in Business management, Finance, Human Resources and many more. The programme is going from strength the strength and we look forward to seeing the students come back to school to share their experiences with the future Employ cohorts.
