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Business in Wokingham
Giving a helping hand to local businesses |
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Businesses Celebrate 15 Years of Teaching Youngsters About Work
A PARTNERSHIP that has brought hundreds of Wokingham Borough school pupils and businesses together in a bid to get youngsters ready for the world of work, is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.
To bridge the gap between school and employment and encourage youngsters to get into work mode before the final school bell rings, the Central Berkshire Education Business Partnership (CBEBP), covering the Wokingham Borough, was set up in 1993.
While the government has recently responded to companies’
pleas for more vocational based qualifications by allowing some schools to offer diplomas, the CBEBP has been organising activities so students and employers can rub shoulders and learn from each other.
One of the activities run by CBEBP in 2007 was the Young Chef competition, which encouraged under-18s to consider a career in catering and develop their practical food skills. The under-14 and under-18 categories were both won by pupils from Luckley Oakfield School in Wokingham and Most Creative Chef was awarded to Amy Allpress and Becky Morrell from The Emmbrook School.
But it isn’t just competitions the CBEBP organises. It also arranges work experience placements; talks to students; visits and tours to businesses; student mentoring; business contributions to lessons and school projects and business activities in schools.
The partnership not only encourages businesses to work with schools it also allows companies to give something back to the community.
Mark Thatcher, Managing Director of CBEBP, said: “Working with a school can build team spirit, corporate self-esteem, public esteem and generate a general feel good factor. What’s more, many employees report that they actually enjoy the experience of working with schools.”
More than 10 schools from the Wokingham Borough are part of the scheme, and various companies from corporate internationals to independent local traders have been providing an invaluable service to their pupils for the past 15 years.
However, more companies are always needed to help bridge the education and employment divide according to Mr Thatcher, who is always on the look-out for new CBEBP members. “We can tailor something to suit your business and make the practical arrangements. Will your business do its bit to help youngsters still at school or college be ready for work and indeed, ready for you?”
For more details on how your business can help, call Mark Thatcher at CBEBP on (0118) 933 8668.
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