Sam painting the lines on a local football pitch
A keen student from Staindrop Business and Enterprise College has used a new model of work experience to gain skills and experience in preparation for his future career.
As part of the new ‘Learning the Business’ initiative, local employers and schools work in partnership to develop new ways of working together to help prepare students for working life.
Year 11 budding landscape student Sam Westwood is completing a 10 week placement developed in conjunction with Durham County Council’s Street Scene Team, part of Neighbourhood Services. The experience is giving Sam the necessary experience and skills for him to complete his ASDAN Employability Award and to assist with seeking employment in the future, commenting ‘I really enjoy working here and it’s helping me get the skills I need when I get a job’.
Sam assists with general horticultural and grounds maintenance work around the county.Graeme Walton, Grounds Maintenance Operative with the Street Scene Team also added ‘It’s a pleasure to work with Sam and I think it’s fantastic that Street Scene are part of Learning the Business supporting young people like Sam who need to gain and develop skills for working life’.
Posted in Uncategorized on June 8th, 2010
- Mark Ellis
When Durham’s Marriott Hotel, Royal County agreed to work with St Leonard’s Catholic School in a new education business programme designed to help nurture the workforce of tomorrow, little did they know that they would be wowed enough by a student recipe to include it on their menu!!
The innovative ‘Learning the Business’ programme involves local employers pledging commitment to helping raise students’ awareness of the world of work and develop employability skills.
Year 9 student Mark Ellis’ creation of mini muffins certainly gave James Marron, Executive Head Chef at the hotel food for thought when he went along to take part in a healthy eating activity, developed as part of the new partnership programme. Food technology student Mark cooked up quite a storm with his ‘reduced fat and high vegetable’ recipe of mini pizza muffins which will now be added to an assortment of canapés on offer at the hotel.
James is delighted by the news, so let’s hope the new dish goes done well with the diners!
Posted in Uncategorized on June 8th, 2010
Twenty five year 7& 8 students from Spennymoor School today headed to Durham County Cricket Club at Chester-le-Street to learn more about business and employability as part of a school programme supported by Esh Group and co-ordinated by Durham Education Business Partnership.
The students were given a presentation by Durham County Cricket Club Marketing Director, Mark Foster and Operations Manager, Richard Dowson about the off field developments at the Riverside and how Durham have become a major international sporting venue with a few helpful tips for the young people in later life. The children were then taken on a behind the scenes tour of the ground and given an experience of media activities as they recorded their own report in the Sky Sports Studio.
The Learning the Business programme aims to improve long-term partnership working between schools and employers through the development and provision of quality activities and programmes to the benefit of both business and students.
Brian Manning, Group Chief Executive of Esh Group and chair of the Employment and Skills Group is committed to the partnership, commented;
‘Esh Group is totally convinced that early meaningful engagement between business, school and students is an essential part of preparing the workforce of the future. Esh Group is therefore keen to be involved in designing such programmes and in getting our sleeves rolled up and delivering these opportunities using the full breadth and depth of the organisation’.
For more information about the work carried out by Durham Education Business Partnership please contact Cheryl Stirk on 01325 375973 or at cheryl.stirk@durham.gov.uk.
Posted in Uncategorized on April 1st, 2010
Sales of ducks went through the roof earlier today (Thursday 25 March 2010) as twenty-five year 5 & 6 students from St Mary’s RCVA Primary School in Barnard Castle set up their own Duck Production companies making paper ducks in an enterprise event organised by Durham Education Business Partnership.
Teacher Paul Tucker oversaw proceedings as the students became Young Entrepreneurs forming companies, buying supplies and then competing against each other to sell their ducks for the most money. Business volunteers from IPS and A&C Turner Engineering Ltd supported the event, offering their knowledge and experience to the students on designing, marketing and manufacturing their products.
The aim of the activity is to learn about some of the issues involved in running a business. It also encourages teamwork, co-operation, negotiation, decision making and problem solving.
Co-ordinator of the event Kathryn Henderson from Durham Education Business Partnership hailed the event a success with many students pitching their budding business ideas in an attempt to win the challenge.
Posted in Conferencing & Events on April 1st, 2010