Broadening horizons through meaningful encounters with professionals
Charlene Steele, Careers Lead at Ark St. Alban’s Academy in Birmingham, organises Rise (an ICAEW social mobility initiative) workshops for her students – many of whom have little exposure to career role models outside of school. Initially looking to supplement her school’s careers education for pupils unable to secure work experience, Charlene chose Rise because of its exposure to employers and focus on building essential employability skills.
Rise hasn’t just been about adding a line to a CV or personal statement, however. It’s come to mean much more, helping grow confidence, self-esteem, and essential workplace skills that will support their future success.
Many of Charlene’s students spend little time beyond the parameters of their local area, despite being in close proximity to the city centre. Bringing professionals into the classroom enables students to overcome barriers and realise that anything is possible - and achievable.
We have employers join in with and support the workshops, which is really successful. Students engage in meaningful encounters, hearing from a range of different people with varied roles and expertise.
Guided by experienced and skilled facilitators and the support of volunteers, students build confidence in group activities. They come to recognise their individual strengths and talents upon stepping outside of their comfort zones, especially when presenting in front of others.
Building skills for a future that students can confidently choose is key, and now Charlene’s students know more about the options available to them – and how to get there. The programme helps students get used to working in teams, preparing them to be able to collaborate and communicate effectively in further education and future careers.
The Rise workshops give our students hope and aspiration and help them to think big and do everything they can to enhance their development.
Engaging with the world of work also helps improve students’ attitudes to schoolwork outside of the programme, showing that careers education is aligned with academic learning.
Doing Rise workshops and engaging with employers is a stepping stone, putting students at an advantage for when they go into the world of work. In order to become a well-rounded individual, students need academia and to boost their character development – that’s where careers education is pivotal.
Students have engaged with volunteers both online and in person, intrigued by the fast-evolving world of work. One volunteer spoke about working remotely, managing their own time and being their own boss. In an ever-changing world, shining a light on new ways of working is essential. Talking to employees from corporate and professional environments and being supported through workshop tasks engages even those who sometimes struggle to focus.
For Charlene’s students, many of whom come from ethnic minority backgrounds, seeing people who look like them in positions of power in the workplace makes them realise that anything is possible. It gives them confidence in what they can achieve in the future.
It’s empowering because it raises the aspirations of our learners, especially when we see a range of people that come from different walks of life. What’s more powerful is representation.
Sharing these messages and celebrating the successes of everyone in the workplace is paramount to raising student aspirations and their overall outlook on careers education.
The Rise programme has allowed us to reach our learners in a positive way, to hit our Gatsby benchmarks and to inspire students with employee encounters. The workshops have been so beneficial and have empowered our careers programme, elevating it in ways that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
Rise workshops have helped Charlene’s students develop in a multitude of ways, supporting the school's careers education offer and helping students make plans for the future and dream big.