A group of 13 Year 9 pupils from Kingsbury Green Academy took part in the Ablaze One Day Career Mentoring programme with a team of four trained business mentors from local business Furniture Box, hosted at their central office and warehouse.
The mentors described their own career journeys and imparted their knowledge of workplace skills and employability opportunities. Activities during the day encouraged pupils to discuss barriers and understand resilience and explore and develop their employability skills further.
The programme was evaluated at the start and end of the programme with the following key findings:
- 69% of pupils feel a lot more confident about themselves and their abilities having taken part in this programme, with only 23% feeling very confident before the programme
- Before the programme 54% said they felt very good or quite good at taking part in discussions whereas after the programme 100% stated they now feel very good or quite good at taking part in discussions
- 92% stated they now feel very good or quite good at making decisions, an increase of 15% of pupils who felt this before the programme
- 100% felt they only knew a little about career pathways before doing the programme, with 54% feeling they had now learnt a lot about careers after doing the programme
- 100% said they learnt about skills that they’ll need for work during the programme, in particular speaking (92%), problem solving and teamwork (77% each) and listening and leadership (62% each). 54% also said they had improved their creativity as a result of this programme.
- 77% said they felt either a little or a lot better about school since taking part in the programme. Comments in response to ‘how do you feel about school now’ included:
- It wasn’t about school
- Still boring
- It isn’t awful
- The same
- It is really good and you can learn a lot
- It’s alright
- Good
- I prefer it and learnt more
- 54% now have more ideas or a better plan for what they might like to do in the future, having taken part in the programme. Some of the pupils shared their plans:
Before the programme – after the programme they said:
- Don’t know yet – I think it would be nice working somewhere like this
- No pre comment – Maybe a business
- Go to university, get a job – no post comment
- To go to Harrogate AFC or get a PHD for psychology at Reading University – Maybe run a business
- I want to be a pilot and get my PPI (Private Pilot’s Licence) – To be a pilot
- To work in early years – early years
- I want to work at tesco and maybe work in a nursery – I don’t know yet
- I would like to go to the university of Plymouth and get a degree in Forensic Science and Criminology – Go to uni, find a job
- I’m unsure – no post comment
- Plumber or electrician – no post comment
- I would like to be a mental health therapist – I want to help people
- Don’t know – To carry on with what I’m doing
- I don’t really know what I want to do in the future yet – I still don’t know but maybe Sixth Form
Evaluation from the Furniture Box Mentors:
- Please tell us why you think this programme is important
- It is important that we can support those who have perhaps had a less privileged start in life (for whatever reason) and encourage them to develop and expand where possible
- By connecting people, empowering them, and fostering a sense of shared purpose, Ablaze helps create a supportive network
- What have you got out of volunteering?
- I have been a position of being less privileged so am keen to give back and it was great to see the students develop even in the short space of a day
- It has provided an excellent opportunity to learn and develop practical and personal skills. I’ve gained valuable experience that will boost my confidence and competence
- Have you learned any skills or used any existing skills differently through volunteering?
- Public speaking has always proved challenging for me, so I often seek to get involved to help me overcome this
- How does a scheme like this benefit your business?
- The business as a whole is keen to support where we can and we have supported a Ablaze last year
- Youth mentor volunteering not only benefits the mentees but also enriches the business ecosystem by nurturing future leaders and fostering collaboration
- Please list the main skills you feel the students learned
- I think for some they learned listening, team work and confidence
- A good mentoring relationship helps young people develop confidence and resilience. Facing setbacks and uncertainties is common in business. Encouragement and support empower them to overcome obstacles and stay resilient
Running the Ablaze Mentoring Programme each year at Kingsbury Green Academy is a greatly rewarding and positive part of our careers programme. The experience enables our pupils to form new relationships, develop their confidence and essential skills and have their eyes opened to new and exciting possibilities. Thank you to the mentors at Furniture Box for showing such as interest in our pupils, preparing activities and conversations that were engaging and for giving our young people a revived sense of curiosity and ambition.
Ablaze would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers that took part from Furniture Box for making it such an engaging and impactful day for the pupils, in particular Mel Wilson for making it happen again this year at Furniture Box and being so involved herself. And the staff and pupils from Kingsbury Green Academy, in particular Cath Young, for her continued support for the Ablaze Career Mentoring programme.
Thank you!
Project Manager: Ceri Bowers
