Longdean Students shine at Employability Day

Two Hundred Year 10 pupils from Longdean School in Hemel Hempstead took part in an Employability Skills day on Thursday 7th May organised and run by Connect Dacorum. The pupils were in groups of 8 and each group had a facilitator from local businesses who had given up their morning to help the children with CV writing and interview skills.

All students were in the halls which instantly created a buzz. The event was interactive for the pupils – interviewing their facilitators, putting themselves in the mind of an employer looking at CVs for a new trainee graphic designer and critiquing them before moving on to looking in more detail at their own CVs and giving advice. The second session concentrated on interview skills with mock interviews and also a fun “speed interviewing” game. The pupils came away with lot of helpful feedback and advice directly from employers about what they look for in a CV, covering letter and throughout the interview process.

Cindy Withey, Manager of Connect Dacorum praised the pupils and facilitators for a great day “this is the second year Connect Dacorum has organised this at Longdean School and it is great to see how much both the pupils and facilitators get out of the experience”.

The pupils also completed a feedback sheet at the end of the day with all of them of them saying that it was really helpful. One wrote “I found out the key points of how to be employed and what is needed in your CV. And interviews, always prepare for an interview and think about what employers are looking for”. Another said “I have found out how to sell yourself, make known all your qualities and things to do and not to do when attending an interview. Also how to enhance our CVs”.

The facilitators came from a wide variety of backgrounds and businesses (full list see below), all willing to give up their time to help shape the future generation and pass on valuable advice.

Hannah Bailey from Osborne said ““Osborne were delighted to spend the day with students from Longdean school. It was inspiring to see how enthusiastic and engaged they were in discussing their options after education. It goes to show the impact it can have when schools and businesses work together.”

“Machins Solicitors thoroughly enjoyed taking part in what was a very rewarding day with an engaging and dynamic group of students” said Abi Palmer, Marketing Manager at Machins Solicitors who sent along two of their trainee solicitors.

Tony Munday from TM Development Associates also really enjoyed the day “Superb experience to work with such motivated young people!”

This programme is also being held on the 29th and 30th June at Hemel Hempstead School. If there are any businesses who would like their staff to be involved and become a facilitator for these events in future please contact Cindy Withey at Connect Dacorum on [email protected]

Facilitators:
Alex Deller-Rust – Machins Solicitors
Alistair Budd – retired HR director
Amanda Winder – Strive Development
Anne Lean – Warner Bros Studios
Annie Smith – The Hospice Lottery
Ayesha Hafiz – Britvic
Barbara Hancock – DENS charity
Cara Wright – self employed
Caroline Evans – Hemel Hempstead Old Town Hall
Cindy Deacon – UKTD
Dave Moore – Dacorum Borough Council
Devi Raghwani – Job Centre Plus
Frances Swan – Job Centre Plus
Gordon Dickens – The Tutor Doctor
Hannah Bailey – Osborrne
John Champion – EML Retail Display
Karen Gosen – Gaddesden Place Riding for the Disabled
Linda Oatley – The Centre in the Park
Lorna Chiverton-Hunt – Youth Coach
Maggie Grand – Sunnyside Rural Trust
Maria McKenna – Osborne
Olivia Llewellyn – Machins Solicitors
Simon Redlich – Audit Bureau of Circulations
Simon Stillman – Life Coach
Steve Coulam – Holiday Inn Hemel Hempstead
Sue Prowse – Dacorum Borough Council
Tania Barney – Sensoria
Tony Munday – TM Development Associates

ENDS

About Connect Dacorum
Connect Dacorum is a partnership between the business, public and voluntary sectors that actively participates in creating a better quality of life for all in the Dacorum and surrounding area.
We provide information and expertise on community involvement opportunities for organisations of all sizes and support our members in the delivery of their Corporate Social Responsibility objectives.
We are a project of Community Action Dacorum
Contact: Cindy Withey
Tel: 01442 228216
Email: [email protected]

About Community Action Dacorum
Community Action Dacorum is a charity that provides a circle of support to the local community. As a council for voluntary service, we believe in bringing people together to achieve more in their communities and improve quality of life
We:
• Support voluntary organisations and community groups at the early stages of their development
• Provide funding advice, representation and a payroll service to help them grow and flourish
• Deliver services and projects that support local individuals, businesses and community groups
Contact: Deborah Fogden
Tel: 01442 253935
Email: [email protected]