Students on Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form’s Career Academy are proving that they have what it takes to succeed, securing praise – and even full-time employment!
Students from the College have taken full advantage of the opportunity to participate in its highly successful Business Career Academy. This is supported by Career Academies UK, a national charity which links schools and colleges with employers to help prepare young people for the world of work. In addition to visits from local business leaders and trips to companies, students participating in the Career Academy also have an opportunity to complete a paid summer internship with a variety of local employers.
One of these employers, Matthew Kibble Transport, has been involved with the Nelson and Colne College Career Academy since its inception. Managing Director Matthew Kibble is on the Advisory Board for the College’s Career Academy; and it isn’t the first time he has taken part in a Career Academy. Matthew Kibble has previously participated in a Career Academy in Liverpool, and also delivered a Think Logistics session in a Kirkby school. Matthew delivered a Think Logistics session in Nelson just last year, and then brought students from Nelson and Colne College into his business to witness a real working environment.
A Level student Stuart Burnett struck gold when he was invited into Matthew Kibble Transport for his internship placement. He immediately fit in, intrinsically understanding that working hard is a requirement of working life and making himself and his College proud by showing he had what it took to succeed!
Stuart said, “I’ve enjoyed it – it’s kept me busy, and I’ve learned all sorts of new things. Working at Matthew Kibble Transport has helped me to plan my future. Everyone said not to do accounts; that it was boring, but for me it’s absolutely not. It’s what I want to do – and working here, as part of the Career Academy, has shown that to me!”
Working at Matthew Kibble Transport gave him a true understanding of the different tasks he would be facing if he entered the world of accounting. Stuart’s roles have included organising invoices, printing proof of deliveries, scanning important paperwork, and organising and sorting pallet track deliveries. During his extra days at the business he was also invited to sit with the General Manager to experience traffic control, where he answered phones, took messages and did the all-important task of monitoring traffic and lorry locations.
Matthew Kibble, Managing Director, said, “Lots of young people don’t want to work, and they have no enthusiasm when they do. They just want to sit around on social media all day. Stuart has proved that he can stand out from the crowd – he certainly isn’t afraid of hard work! He is a credit to Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form, and we’ve been delighted to offer him a full time job.”
