East Sussex Careers Hub - Case Studies
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East Sussex Careers Hub Case Studies
As well as continuing to strengthen relationships
with businesses, the focus of the Careers Hub
over the coming academic year will be on further
embedding careers across the curriculum.
2
IN THIS BOOKLET
Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Opportunity Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Volunteer roles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Apprenticeships hit the road. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Enterprise Competition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Gatwick Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __14 Creative Café. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Canary Wharf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Open Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
iCan 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Industry Champions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
The Depot Cinema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Cornerstone Employers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Plumpton College. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Give an Hour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
MetalTech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Apprenticeships bring in new talent. . . . 44
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FOREWORD
Foreword
East Sussex County Council is proud to the breadth of employment, sectors, skills
be one of the first wave of Careers Hubs and qualifications that are on offer in East The Hub has
in the country, a key pillar in supporting Sussex, all of which are contributing to the
made great
the county’s approach to improving economy of the county.
employment and skills opportunities for strides in its
The case studies in this booklet highlight
young people, and the talent pipeline of work with
a number of the activities that have taken
future employees for businesses.
place in the first two years of the Careers East Sussex
The Hub has made great strides in its Hub. We would like to thank all those who
secondary
work with East Sussex secondary schools, have taken part in supporting this work
special schools and colleges to enable and giving young people in East Sussex a schools, special
students to learn about the world of work, head-start in thinking about their future schools and
raise aspirations and broaden horizons. careers.
colleges.
All of this could not have been achieved
without the overwhelming support of
local businesses. These businesses have
helped to shape the Hub and showcase
4
The case studies
in this booklet
showcase a
number of the
activities that
have taken
place in the first
two years of the
Councillor Rupert Simmons Councillor Bob Standley Careers Hub.
Lead Member for Economy Lead Member for Education and Inclusion,
Special Educational Needs and Disability
5
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
The East Sussex Careers Hub was launched result has been a significant improvement
in 2018, funded by the Careers and in provision against these national Over 130
Enterprise Company, initially as a two-year benchmarks over the past two years.
businesses
pilot working with all secondary schools,
Business engagement has been the
special schools and colleges in the county have signed
bedrock to the success of the Careers Hub.
to form an exceptional community-of- up as Industry
practice. By linking schools, employers, The Hub has developed a network of over
40 senior leaders from business to become Champions,
further education providers and
universities, the aim of the Hub has been Enterprise Advisers, working strategically committing to
to give students a sound understanding of with senior leadership in schools to drive
promote their
the changing labour market and the world up understanding of careers, the labour
of work, enabling them to make informed market and enterprise amongst young sector to young
choices about their future. people in the county. people.
The Careers Hub has delivered training Over 130 businesses have signed up as
and provided support to schools to help Industry Champions, committing to take
them to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks of part in up to three meaningful employer
Good Practice in Careers Education. The encounters per year to promote their
6
sector to young people, including careers involved in Science, Technology,
events, mock interviews, project briefs, Engineering and Maths (STEM). This booklet
workplace visits and work experience.
• Up to 300 young people with Special showcases a
And the Hub is supported by a network of 15 Educational Needs and Disabilities
small sample
Cornerstone Employers, ambassadors who (SEND) attended the iCan careers event,
have promoted the work of the Hub and enabling them to meet employers of the many
encouraged other businesses to engage. and training providers from a range activities that
of industries and receive help with CV
Working with businesses, the Hub has have taken
writing, interview skills and college
delivered a number of initiatives to enable
applications. place over the
students to have a better understanding of
the world of work, including: • Parental engagement sessions have past two years.
provided parents and carers with a
• The Open Doors programme enabling
better understanding of careers and
local businesses to host over 3,000
the changing labour market to enable
students on workplace visits to gain
them to better support their children.
a better understanding of different
workplaces and roles within them. This booklet showcases a small sample
of the many activities that have taken
• Apprenticeship Roadshows and
place over the past two years. It gives an
workshops have enabled over 3,000
insight into the support that the Careers
young people and parents/carers to
Hub and East Sussex schools have had
meet with employers and training
from local businesses and stakeholders to
providers offering apprenticeships.
provide young people with an insight into
• Nearly 1,300 school students attended the the world of work and to help them make
South East ‘Big Bang’ to meet businesses choices about their future.
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The Open Doors programme enabled local
businesses to host over 3,000 students on
workplace visits to gain a better understanding
of different workplaces and roles within them.
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Beyond 2020: what next for across the curriculum, enabling young
the Careers Hub? people to see the link between what they The Careers
The Department for Education and the
are learning and future employment; Hub will have
developing interactive labour market
Careers and Enterprise Company have a central role
information resources; building on
committed to ongoing funding for the Careers
parental engagement and understanding to play as
Hub model for the academic year 2020/21.
of the labour market and careers; working the county
The Careers Hub will have a central role with feeder primary schools to embed the
to play as the county moves towards moves towards
learning from the Primary Careers Hub
economic recovery, following the Covid-19 pilot from 2019/20; developing the ‘Careers economic
pandemic. Ensuring young people have a East Sussex’ web portal to host resources, recovery,
firm understanding of the changing labour lesson plans and signpost young people
market and that they are developing the right (and adults) to apply for courses and
following
employability skills and resilience to enter training; and working with education the Covid-19
the world of work will be more important partnerships between schools to build the pandemic.
than ever. The opportunity for businesses to strength and sustainability of the network
engage to the extent that they have over the beyond 2021.
past two years may be challenging as they
focus on recovery, and yet the Hub have had
firm commitments from a number of local
employers to do just that. If you would like any further information
As well as continuing to strengthen about the East Sussex Careers Hub, contact:
relationships with businesses, the focus of
the Careers Hub over the coming academic enterprisecoordinator@eastsussex.gov.uk
year will be on further embedding careers
9
APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeships hit the road
Ben Barber had recently left his sixth form training providers, seeing for themselves
studies. He said: “School just didn’t suit what apprenticeships can offer. “A lot of young
me. I want to learn on the job, that’s how I
Backed up by pop-up events in people aren’t
learn, I’m more practical.” Karl was looking
Crowborough, Hailsham, Heathfield,
for an apprenticeship in car mechanics and aware that an
Lewes, Newhaven and Uckfield, the
agreed with Ben, saying “I’d rather do the apprenticeship
roadshows coincided with National
training in the workplace.”
Apprenticeship Week, building on is an option.”
Ben and Karl were among over 600 young momentum from the national campaign.
people, parents and carers who took Sarah Sawyer,
SCTP Marketing and Office Executive,
the opportunity to visit apprenticeship SCTP
Sarah Sawyer said the roadshows helped
roadshows that took place in the county
raise young people’s awareness. “It’s about
in 2019.
making sure young people know their
Organised by the Sussex Council of Training full range of options,” said Sarah. “A lot of
Providers (SCTP), the roadshows were held them aren’t aware that an apprenticeship
in Eastbourne and Hastings, with young is an option.”
people able to meet 23 employers and 21
CONTINUES ON PAGE 12
1011
This message resonated difference to young people, Sarah Sawyer
with Tristan, a student suggests. “Employers and providers
at Bexhill Sixth Form are the sector specialists. We’ve got the
College, who found that employers telling the young people ‘this is
visiting the Hastings what we want in an apprentice’, and that is
roadshow was “a good invaluable advice.”
opportunity to go out
At the Hastings roadshow, Steve Allcorn
and see what’s available.”
from JTL Training told young people to:
Face-to-face encounters “Be persistent, be polite, try and stand
with employers and out from the rest, and offer yourself for
training providers a work trial.”
make a big
Many of the young people visited the
roadshows with a parent or carer.
“School just “Getting the parents in is vital,” Sarah
didn’t suit me. Sawyer added. “They will provide a lot
of careers advice for their young people,
I want to learn
but they won’t necessarily have up-to-date
on the job, information.”
that’s how Miranda Jordan, attending the Hastings
I learn, I’m roadshow with her son Ben, was delighted
that the event was available: “My daughter
more practical.”
took a long time to get a job, there was
Ben Barber nothing like the roadshows at that time.
They are a brilliant idea, I think.”
12“Be persistent, be polite, try
and stand out from the rest,
and offer yourself for a work
trial.”
Steve Allcorn
13GATWICK AIRPORT
Gatwick shows pupils
alternative airport careers
Gatwick Airport staff welcomed 1,200 Pupils took part in authentic airport
East Sussex young people at Hailsham activities across the school hall and “I feel I should
Community College in November 2019 for playground, supported by East Sussex
be more
an interactive roadshow about aviation Careers Hub staff. Flight, take-off and
careers. landing simulators attracted lively crowds. open-minded,
The airport security team taught students working at the
Paula Aldridge, Community Engagement
about X-ray imagery and learners heard
Manager for Gatwick Airport, said: “The airport is not all
about cyber security careers, a growth area
purpose of the roadshows is to give
for Gatwick’s IT department which detects about being a
students across the region a more hands-
400 cyber-attacks across the world every pilot!”
on experience of STEM-related careers to
second. The attendees asked EasyJet staff
encourage them to consider working in
about cabin crew careers and tested their Wesley Dye
the industry. The roadshows are part of
mental maths in the ‘Retail Zone’.
Gatwick’s wider community engagement
programme which is designed to have CONTINUES ON PAGE 17
meaningful and lasting impacts in the local
area and help Gatwick develop a pipeline
of talent for the future.”
14“The purpose of the roadshows
is to give students across
the region a more hands-on
experience of STEM-related
careers.”
Paula Aldridge
15“In the past I’ve been put off apprenticeships
owing to money, I had no idea what qualifications
and salaries were available, but Gatwick offers
viable pay rates and great training.”
16 Leonie DonaldPaula is keen to highlight the lesser
known airport specialisms, such as
security, engineering and construction.
Gatwick currently have 15 engineering
apprentices and want to raise awareness
of engineering amongst female pupils.
Leonie Donald, 18 years old, said: “In the
past I’ve been put off apprenticeships
owing to money, I had no idea what
qualifications and salaries were available,
but Gatwick offers viable pay rates and
great training.”
Students took away the message that
Gatwick careers are rewarding and varied.
“It was brilliant to see the students immerse Wesley Dye, 12 years old, said: “I feel I
themselves in all the activities. I genuinely think should be more open-minded, working at
the airport is not all about being a pilot!”
the pupils’ perception of STEM subjects and careers
Paula said: “It was brilliant to see the
at the airport changed for the better.” students immerse themselves in all the
Paula Aldridge
activities. I genuinely think the pupils’
perception of STEM subjects and careers
at the airport changed for the better.”
17CANARY WHARF
Hastings pupils’ horizons broadened
at Canary Wharf’s finance sector
Students from Hastings and St Leonards raise aspirations amongst young people and
“Meeting people visited Canary Wharf in London in June to show pupils London job opportunities.”
2019 to experience the world of global
in the finance The students prepared for the trip with
finance. Some of the world’s biggest
tailor-made lessons in school, delivered
sector helped multinational financial services companies
by enterprise coordinators. The pupils
pupils realise welcomed 106 students to their offices,
researched the businesses and drafted
including Citibank, ANZ Bank, Clearstream,
that this was questions for their Q&As with employees.
Fitch Ratings and Barclays.
Hastings employers and enterprise
a future they
The Hastings Opportunity Area Broadening advisers helped the young people to role
could easily Horizons working group introduced the play networking meetings.
have.” trip to show selected students the career
On arrival at Citibank’s UK headquarters,
opportunities that exist within large
the students were welcomed by Action
Cordelia MacMillan corporates beyond their home towns.
Jackson, a motivational speaker.
Anne Spackman, Chief Executive of co-
Students joined Action Jackson on stage
organisers Career Ready, said: “We put on
to talk about their future ambitions.
the Hastings Comes to Canary Wharf event to
CONTINUES ON PAGE 20
18“The students were blown
over, stepping out of the Tube,
looking up at the skyscrapers,
to what felt like New York.”
Cordelia MacMillan
19He called on students to make a fantastic Cordelia MacMillan, Assistant Principal at
first impression when they spoke to Hastings Academy said: “The students were Below:
Canary Wharf employees. blown over, stepping out of the Action Jackson
Tube, looking up at the skyscrapers, to
Students took part in Q&As and speed
what felt like New York – it was a step into
networking with financial service
unknown territory. But actually it was a real
employees and toured the Canary Wharf
reality check because, meeting people like
skyscrapers. Alyssia (13) from St Leonards
the workers at Citibank, they realised that
Academy, said: “I thought it was really cool
this was a future they could easily have.”
how everything works. I was expecting
it to be really busy with people running After the success of this year’s event, the
around, but everyone was really calm and Hastings Opportunity Area team intends
everything worked very smoothly.” to bring more Hastings and St Leonards
students to Canary Wharf soon.
Alexandra Filip, a Citibank analyst, said:
“I know how important the opportunity
to attend a masterclass at companies like “You are the secret weapon
Citi is in informing young people about hidden in Hastings. As you
the world of work. The information young walk round here today,
people gain from these interactions gives you never know, you
them a better understanding of the roles might meet someone
available at large companies, how best to who could be your future
present themselves to future employers, employer!”
and the chance to interact with new people
outside of their networks.” Action Jackson
20 Website: www.hastingsopportunityarea.co.ukSome of the world’s biggest
multinational financial
services companies welcomed
106 students to their offices.
21iCAN 2020
iCan: inclusive careers
opportunities for all
For students and young people who own pace, taking part in activities ranging
“It was a require additional learning support, from taster coding lessons and mock
crowded events such as careers fairs interviews to tractor simulators and short
tremendous
can feel like an incredibly challenging film screenings, with careers guidance
shared effort environment. The iCan careers event was professionals on hand to answer questions.
and there created to focus on introducing students
CONTINUES ON PAGE 24
who have special educational needs
were powerful
and disabilities (SEND) to opportunities
outcomes for for professional growth that they may
our young otherwise find difficult to access.
people.” 300 young people from 27 East Sussex
schools and colleges attended the
Fiona Wright, all-day experience in January 2020, which
Assistant Director was specifically tailored to address their
of Education and needs. Throughout the day they were
iSEND at East Sussex given the opportunity to meet and chat to
County Council
people from 47 local businesses at their
2223
The event proved to be extremely I was pleased when he said I treated him
beneficial for students and employers like a normal person.” Below: Henrietta Still,
alike, with the friendly and supportive Enterprise Coordinator
Looking back at the event, eight out of ten
environment helping students to feel for SEND from East
employers agreed that iCan had helped Sussex Careers Hub;
comfortable and understood and many
to improve their understanding of young Caroline Ansell, MP
reported having learnt about career
people with SEND. for Eastbourne and
opportunities they had never considered. Willingdon; Councillor
Rachel Groves, Social and Sustainability With planning for next year’s iCan already Bob Standley, Lead
Manager from construction firm Volker underway, the Careers Hub team hope to Member for Education
Fitzpatrick said: make it an even bigger and better event and Inclusion, Special
for as many young people as possible in Educational Needs and
“The range of visitors was vast: from the Disability
East Sussex.
two lads in care who were trying to work
out what to do next, to the beautiful
group from the special needs class, to the
14-year-old boy with autism who already
has GCSE Maths and is home educated;
For information on joining us
at iCan 2021, please contact:
enterprisecoordinator
@eastsussex.gov.uk
24THE DEPOT CINEMA
Close encounters for Lewes
businesses and schools
The Depot Cinema and Priory School hosted Diana Uprichard from Dolly Clothing
“Knowledge of an Employer Encounters event in January added: “Knowledge of running your own
2020 to encourage Lewes businesses to get business is really important for students,
running your
involved with careers education. especially for young people with an
own business is interest in creative areas such as fashion
The Depot welcomed representatives of
really important and textiles.”
Lewes Chamber of Commerce and 45 local
for students” companies to a lively networking session Depot’s HR Manager Petra Rinne Lovelock
over breakfast. Local business people were said: “Sharing career journeys, providing
Diana Uprichard urged to reach out to Priory School pupils work experience, giving behind the
by offering work experience and taking scenes tours or speaking at assemblies
part in school careers activities. are all great ways of promoting your
business, your industry and inspiring our
Suzanne Asher from Asher Planning said:
local students. It doesn’t have to be time
“There’s not that much information about
consuming for businesses to support
property careers in school. It’s true of a
young people and even the smallest
lot of jobs. The more careers that young
businesses can contribute.”
people can be exposed to the better.”
25Students cleared trees from
sensitive areas where heavy
machinery would damage
wildlife habitats, harvesting
the timber for use in schools’
arts projects.
Left: Toby Goodhew
26PLUMPTON COLLEGE
Green-fingered students
gain employment skills
The challenge of getting more young involve the young people in projects and
people into horticulture and land day-to-day estate activities. The students
management is being addressed by a joint
The students joined with National Trust joined with
venture between a local college and an
staff and volunteers to work on diverse
East Sussex beauty spot. National Trust
woodland tasks. Some students, using
Plumpton College, and the National Trust- protective waders, worked in the lakes staff and
owned Sheffield Park near Fletching, have to remove invasive water weeds. Others volunteers to
for many years co-operated on various cleared trees from sensitive areas where
work on diverse
projects. However, in late 2018, the College heavy machinery would damage wildlife
saw an opportunity to enhance their habitats, harvesting the timber for use in woodland tasks.
relationship. schools’ arts projects.
Working together, the College and the Before the April 2019 bluebell season,
Trust arranged for 30 students to visit students laid wood chip paths for Sheffield
the Park estate every week. The aim was Park’s visitors. Level three students helped
to enhance the students’ skills, create a to plant hundreds of trees, introducing
closer link with the Sheffield Park team and hazel and sessile oaks to make a more
27diverse habitat for endangered species take away National Trust principles into
such as dormice. other environments,” he added.
Sheffield Park staff are confident that Plumpton College is also benefiting from
nurturing this relationship will create a working with the National Trust. The
talent pipeline into the National Trust Sheffield Park shop has begun to stock
and other land-based employers. Tom Plumpton Estate’s award-winning wine
Hill, Trees and Woodland Officer, said: produced by the College’s viticulture and
“Young people are under-represented oenology students. After strong sales, the
in horticulture, forestry and countryside College is also supplying National Trust
Below: Bill Hill and
management.” The National Trust team shops across the South East. Tyler Thomas-Gray
expect that the experience will better
prepare young people for their future
land-based careers.
There are other hidden benefits for
the National Trust in this collaboration,
according to Park and Garden Manager,
Andy Jesson. “Working with students with
different learning styles is helping Sheffield
Park staff to develop and to become
stronger as a team,” said Andy.
He says that drawing in young volunteers
to work at Sheffield Park could also help the
Trust to promote itself to wider audiences.
“It’s a chance to influence, so that people
28METALTECH
Involving parents transforms
work experience for Metaltech
Metaltech is a precision engineering booked in for 2020. This year the company
Metaltech company based in Hailsham, East Sussex, also interviewed 12 young people for two
which supplies its products to a global apprenticeship positions and no longer
interviewed
market. The company is thriving but has needs the help of an external company to
12 young found it difficult to recruit young people. recruit its apprentices.
people for two The company is tackling this issue by Director Alec Hill said: “Staff are engaging
apprenticeship involving parents in students’ work more with the work experience placements
experience interviews. This helps students and the staff feel more part of the wider
positions and
feel more comfortable when they visit the community, because they are working with
no longer needs work experience placement and it also local students. Staff really appreciate the
the help of raises MetalTech’s profile with the parents. thank-you letters from students too.”
an external This has increased demand for work Since becoming a Cornerstone Employer,
experience placements. In 2015, Metaltech has expanded its educational
company to
Metaltech hosted just one student on outreach beyond Hailsham to support
recruit its work experience. In contrast, six people secondary school students in Uckfield,
apprentices. applied in 2019 and three are already Lewes, Plumpton and Eastbourne.
29OPPORTUNITY DAY
‘Not Your Usual Careers Day’
for Hastings students
Hastings Opportunity Day gave Year 10 Group. Employers were given complete
“Students will be and 11 students from Hastings and St freedom to design an interactive workshop
Leonards-On-Sea in East Sussex a unique of their choice to showcase their industry.
biting my hand
opportunity to meet local employers. The
off to attend in half day event took place on 26 November
the future!” 2018 and was marketed as ‘Not Your
Usual Careers Day’. It offered students the
Graham Morris, chance to participate in real-life industry
Careers Leader of activities with local businesses.
Ark William Parker
Academy Students signed up for industry
workshops, including 3D design, social
media, politics, conservation and sports
leadership. Enterprise Advisers who
volunteered included manufacturer
Marshall-Tufflex, accountants Ashdown
Hurrey, media consultant Tony Dillon and
business advisors the Let’s Do Business
30On Hastings Opportunity Day itself, Quinn, a Year 11 student, said: “From
students visited their chosen employers all the information they gave us it made Above: Hastings Fire
at workshop venues throughout Hastings me realise I wanted to do physiotherapy Station, Bohemia Road,
and East Sussex. Supported by East Sussex instead of personal training.” Hastings
Careers Hub staff, students took part in
“Participating students worked harder
a medical emergency simulation at the
in class afterwards because they were
Conquest Hospital, designed displays at
motivated to achieve the grades they
The Hastings Museum and cooked seafood
needed for their career,” said Graham
dishes using catch from the Hastings
Morris, Careers Leader of Ark William
fishing fleet.
Parker Academy. He added: “Students
will be biting my hand off to attend in
the future!”
31VOLUNTEER ROLES
Volunteer roles grow
skills and confidence
Cuckmere House School specialises in The weekly visits have become an integral
The experience providing opportunities for their students, part of their learning. Once back at school
all of whom require some level of social, they discuss what they have been doing and
has been
emotional or mental health support. The record their experiences in a written logbook
beneficial for students are encouraged to take part in to put towards their award progress.
staff at the park the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme as
The experience has been beneficial for
part of the curriculum and, in 2019, a group
as well as the staff at the park as well as the students,
of Year 10 and 11 students signed up for
with team members developing new ways
students. volunteer roles with the National Trust to
to improve their communication and
fulfil all four elements of the award.
explain tasks.
Since July 2018, student groups have been
Glenys Lonsdale, National Trust
working alongside staff at National Trust
Volunteering Coordinator, said: “We are
property Sheffield Park to get stuck into a
delighted to be working with Cuckmere
wide variety of different activities. Their day-
House and further committing to the
to-day tasks range anywhere from picking
National Trust’s aim of ‘For Ever, For
up leaves to, as one student says, “the worst
Everyone’.”
activity, getting rid of the mole hills!”
32ENTERPRISE COMPETITION
Enterprising ideas from
Eastbourne students
On 12 March 2020, local students took to finance their plans, through to how to
Throughout part in the inaugural Eastbourne Schools design and develop a product that people
Enterprise Competition, sponsored want and how to market their product to
the day the
by W.Bruford jewellers and hosted by their target audience.
participants Gildredge House School with the East
Each team presented their business plan
were guided Sussex Careers Hub.
to a panel of judges and Uckfield College
by local With their eyes on the prize – a team trip emerged victorious, with a watch designed
on the Brighton i360 – the teens from to provide data on diabetes to the wearer,
professionals
seven schools were challenged to design their family and healthcare providers. The
through the a new smart watch and pitch their ideas judges awarded the college the top score
challenges to a panel of judges. for their confident and witty presentation,
a thoughtful concept and strong future
of working in Throughout the day the participants were
expansion plans. Other teams were
guided by local professionals through
the world of commended for their health and wellbeing
the challenges of working in the world of
business. focus and consideration of sustainable
business. They covered everything from
materials.
how a small business starts up and how
3334
CREATIVE CAFÉ
Creative Café highlights
different career paths
Bexhill College called on creative task that developed employability skills
organisation Culture Shift to give their relevant to their industry. Culture Shift The Creative
students an insight into future careers in helped the students to start conversations
Café made
East Sussex. Culture Shift ran a Creative by providing them with a list of questions
Café event in March 2019 to introduce to ask the employers. eight out of
174 students from Level 2 hairdressing, ten students
The Creative Café made eight out of ten
barbering, childcare, and health and social
students more aware of different career more aware of
care to local employers.
pathways and opportunities.
different career
A range of employers sat at tables
arranged in a café style, with one employer pathways and
to a table. Eighteen East Sussex employers opportunities.
took part, including PGL, Bannatynes
Hotel and Spa, East Sussex County Council
Learning Disability Service, the NHS, and
the De La Warr Pavilion. The students
chose one employer to sit with and learn
from and the employers gave students a
35OPEN DOORS
Open Doors encourages young
women into key industries
Open Doors is an East Sussex Careers Hub construction and engineering.
The students initiative that brings small groups of young
The students learnt about the many
people aged 13-18 into workplaces to learn
learnt about diverse jobs in construction and
about the variety of job roles on offer. In
engineering, as well as the career
the many November 2018, Heathfield Community
development opportunities. On their
diverse jobs in College took ten students on the first ever
journey home, the group discussed their
Open Doors visit targeting female students
construction future career plans in a mature and
to help close the gender imbalance in
informed way.
and particular industries.
engineering, Open Doors took students into two
as well as East Sussex businesses: construction
For more information
company Cheesmur, and engineering
the career and road maintenance company East about hosting an Open
development Sussex Highways. The students toured Doors visit at your
opportunities. the businesses and heard from female
employees about their roles and their workplace, please contact
positive experiences of working in enterprisecoordinator@
36 eastsussex.gov.ukOpen Doors took a group of
students to visit the Rampion
off-shore windfarm.
37The Rye Harbour Nature
Reserve was another
destination for Open Doors.
38INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS
‘Industry Champions’ help young
people on road to success
Businesses of all sizes across East Sussex which deliver schools activities on at least
Industry have been invited to become ‘Industry three occasions a year.
Champions’ by representing their sector
Champions Industry Champions were part of 1,500
at school careers events. Since 2016,
connections between students and
were part 129 freelancers, staff teams and whole
employers in the 2018/19 academic
of 1,500 businesses have signed up to take part in
year and greatly contributed to 2,000
activities such as career fairs, inspiration
connections interactions in the Open Doors workplace
days and work experience.
events for schools in November 2019.
between
The East Sussex Careers Hub connects
students and local employers and employees to
employers in schools and colleges that are looking for
For more information about
volunteers, saving schools time and making
the 2018/19 the connection with businesses easier. becoming an Industry
academic year. Champion, please contact
An Industry Champion digital badge and
certificate can be earned by businesses
enterprisecoordinator@
eastsussex.gov.uk
39CORNERSTONE EMPLOYERS
The Cornerstone of
School and Industry Links
Cornerstone Employers work closely with young people to get involved in their sector:
Cornerstone the East Sussex Careers Hub and Hastings
• In recognition of the anxieties teenagers
Opportunity Area. They act as ambassadors,
Employers suffer around exams, social enterprise
linking their business contacts with clusters of
The Let’s Do Business Group partnered
host business secondary schools and colleges, influencing
with Robertsbridge Community College
breakfasts with careers strategy and ensuring that young
to provide one-to-one mentoring
people can learn from employers. There are
local employers sessions for Year 10 and 11 students,
15 Cornerstone Employers in East Sussex:
to increase their confidence and
to promote Astec Computing, AXA, Cheesmur, De La
communication skills.
the benefits of Warr Pavilion, East Sussex County Council, G
M Monk, Hastings Borough Council, Hastings • In summer 2019 alone, manufacturing
connecting with Contemporary, the Let’s Do Business Group, company Marshall Tufflex took part
schools. LoveLocalJobs, Health Education England, in ten careers events, with staff
Marshall Tufflex, Metaltech, Talkative Online, giving careers inspiration to over 100
and The Depot Cinema. students, at six schools and colleges,
offering work experience days, careers
Cornerstone Employers have not been
fairs and factory tours.
afraid to try new methods to encourage
40Cornerstone Employers host business
breakfasts with local employers to
promote the benefits of connecting with
For more information about schools, and regularly speak at Chamber of
becoming an Cornerstone Commerce events. Seven of the businesses
act as Enterprise Advisers, providing
Employer, please contact
strategic support to individual schools.
enterprisecoordinator@ Others are active members of Skills East
Below: Scott Monk
eastsussex.gov.uk Sussex Sector Task Groups, or host work of G M Monk Ltd, an
experience, careers and apprenticeship Electrical Contractors
talks and offer mentoring programmes. based in Eastbourne.
• Eastbourne-based electrical contractors
GM Monk worked with Hailsham
Community College to design a window “I would urge fellow employers in
sticker that Hailsham businesses
East Sussex to contact the Careers
can display to show that they are
supporting the school. Hub and get involved. It doesn’t
have to take up a huge amount of
• During the Covid-19 pandemic,
Lewes-based Cheesmur Building your time, but it could make a big
Contractors, in collaboration with difference to young people and
Hailsham Community College and East your industry in the future.”
Sussex Careers Hub, produced videos
to inspire young people to enter the Scott Monk,
construction industry. G M Monk
41GIVE AN HOUR
‘Give an Hour’
campaign takes off
Dozens of employers are lending their
Freelancers, talents and business expertise to help
local students.
who previously
A ‘Give an Hour’ campaign was developed
found it difficult
to encourage employers to volunteer a
to make time small proportion of their time to help
to volunteer, students to navigate their careers. Since
the March 2019 launch, 58 employers appreciate that giving an hour is a
appreciate that realistic ask. Alex Marden put herself
have taken part.
giving an hour is forward, hoping to raise awareness of
The scheme has proved popular with
“the hundreds of jobs involved in film-
a realistic ask. many business people – for different
making.” And Richard Milton believes the
reasons. Alex Marden, a self-employed art
scheme will attract young people into his
director, and Richard Milton, a director at
industry. He said: “By linking in with local
ECF Car Care are two examples.
schools we can bring students in straight
Freelancers, who previously found it from education and mould them to our
difficult to make time to volunteer, culture and ways of working.”
42“By linking in with local schools we can bring
students in straight from education and mould
them to our culture and ways of working.”
Richard Milton,
a Director at ECF Car Care
43“As an apprentice, I feel I’m able
to contribute to the business
and offer a new perspective.”
Maria
44APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeships bring in new talent
Apprenticeships are a valuable, hands-on schools, to address a lack of understanding
The County way for people to achieve a qualification, around how apprenticeships work.
and provide businesses with the skilled
Council funds East Sussex employers are actively
workers of the future. This is something
encouraging learners to get involved with
Apprenticeship that East Sussex County Council, along
apprenticeships too. ICT company Astec
Roadshows to with schools and employers, have made
Computing has delivered presentations
a priority to promote to students when
enable over to over 700 11 to 19-year-olds. Maria
guiding them through their next steps.
Leonard (18) and Jake Taylor (22) began
3,000 young
The County Council funds Apprenticeship their careers at Astec as apprentices and
people, parents Roadshows to enable over 3,000 young encourage other young people to give
and carers people, parents and carers to meet with apprenticeships a try. CONTINUES ON PAGE 46
employers and training providers offering
to meet with apprenticeships. See case study on page
employers 10 for further details.
and training Apprenticeships in Sussex also runs
providers. workshops and Q&A sessions in local
45The County Council has also promoted
apprenticeships to businesses through
a successful webinar. Held in April 2019,
Sussex Council of Training Providers
delivered the online session, outlining why
apprenticeships could be a more attractive
option than some employers realise.
The achievements of apprentices across
the county were celebrated in the first
ever Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony
at the Devonshire Park Conference
Centre in Eastbourne in September 2019,
attended by employers, training providers, Achievements
apprentices, their friends and family. of apprentices
across the
county were
celebrated in
the first ever
Apprenticeship
Graduation
Ceremony in
2019.
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