Students from Harrow College keen to develop their employability skills have taken part in the Prepare for Work programme.
The week-long series of events, attended by Mark Eastwood, deputy chair of governors at Harrow College, took place across the college’s two campuses at Harrow on the Hill and Harrow Weald from Monday 20 April 2015.
Harrow College has been working with Barclays and the National Skills Academy for Financial Services to deliver Prepare for Work – a new employability programme designed to address the lack of awareness and understanding of the competencies and behaviours that employers seek.
The programme helps students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to successfully navigate the recruitment process as well as touching on the financial aspects of employment. The programme also raises awareness of entrepreneurship and self-employment.
During the week, Harrow College students took part in CV workshops, as well as activities to identify what skills are needed in the workplace and what employers are looking for. They also took part in events to help them understand the contents of a payslip and recognising what to wear to an interview.
As part of Prepare for Work, Harrow College students were trained as ‘champions’ to work alongside other students on a variety of activities linked to getting jobs, including exploring the job market, thinking about interviews and recognising skills.
Sandie Petrie, enrichment co-ordinator at Harrow College, said that the student champions had been an invaluable help during the week.
“Our student champions have taken on their tasks with enthusiasm and have spent the week actively engaged with their fellow students to introduce them to varying aspects of preparing for work,” said Petrie.
One student champion who found the experience worthwhile was Media student Kadar Kahie.
“Meeting new people during this Prepare for Work week has been great. Helping other students with their employability skills has also helped to build up my confidence,” said Kahie. “I’m really pleased I took part.”
Judith Abbott, finance director at Harrow College, added: “These were fun activities with a serious underlying purpose – to help our students become more prepared for work, which in turn should enable them to achieve future financial independence. As a finance director, I think it is vitally important that all young people acquire these skills. The Prepare for Work programme has given us a great opportunity to promote this agenda within the college.”
Prepare for Work is supported by Barclays as part of their commitment to change ‘five million young futures’, by helping the next generation build vital enterprise, employability and financial skills.