Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form has made a fantastic start to providing young business brains in East Lancashire with enhanced skills which will guarantee their success, by holding an event for local business leaders to officially launch its new Business Career Academy.
For their Business Academy, the College will work alongside Career Academies UK, which is a nationally renowned body, to provide an innovative and inclusive way to add value to a student’s study of Business. Students who participate in the Career Academy will undertake a challenging two year programme alongside their main course of study, which is ultimately aimed at improving progression to their chosen career or higher education. The course of study is designed in consultation with local businesses and Career Academies UK and the event held at the College was intended to further excite the local business community about getting involved in the project.
One of the key points of a Career Academy is the emphasis on integrating industry expertise provided by local businesses which have a real insight on what skills are needed in the local economy and jobs market. Students also benefit from workshops, company visits, career mentoring and paid internships. Therefore, generating the right level of interest in supporting the scheme amongst the local business community is vital.
The College was thrilled to welcome representatives from a range of local businesses including Pendle Leisure Trust, Pendle Borough Council, the Civil Service, the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Job Centre Plus, The Paper Cup Company, Colne Primet High School, Matthew Kibble Transport Ltd and Concept4. During the launch event, the visitors were able to find out more about what is involved and how they can help to form a ‘board’ which will act in an advisory capacity to oversee the growth of the College’s Career Academy. Held in the College’s Farringtons restaurant, guests at the event also enjoyed canapés and a buck’s fizz reception.
Curriculum Leader for Business at the College, Justine Thatcher said “The Business launch event for our Career Academy went extremely well; it was good to see a variety of local employers wanting to be involved in developing the employability skills and aspirations of the young people at Nelson and Colne College. The support of employers will be key to the success of the Career Academy and will also provide our students with unrivalled opportunities during their time here; from a paid internship to a mentor, the students will get incredible support to help them to achieve their full potential.”
Ian Nichol, NW Regional Manager at Career Academies UK said, “I am delighted that Nelson and Colne College will be recruiting students to a new Finance career academy centre in September 2013. With the support of local employers the students will get experience of the real world of work and develop the essential employability skills that will make them work ready.”
If you are a business in East Lancashire and want to get involved with this exciting project, please contact Justine Thatcher at j.thatcher@nelsongroup.ac.uk in the first instance.
