Students at Harrow College have been recognised at a presentation ceremony for their efforts and dedication to various career inspired initiatives.
One of these initiatives saw Harrow College 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.
Prepare for Work events included a week of activities, delivered by students to their fellow peers. 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. Students also took part in CV workshops, as well as activities to identify what skills are needed in the workplace. They also took part in events to help understand the contents of a payslip and recognising what to wear to an interview.
During the presentation ceremony, certificates were awarded to each of the Prepare for Work champions. A special mention and cinema vouchers were also presented to three specific champions who really impressed during the week – these student champions were Kadar Kahie, Nadim Amin and Thushanthy Thillainathan. A special Prepare for Work week prize draw also saw two lucky participating students win themselves a pair of restaurant vouchers – these students were Carlo China and Ali Enad.
Sandie Petrie, Enrichment Co-ordinator at Harrow College, said "the student champions had shown a great level of maturity and had really helped to engage with fellow students. Empowering our students is important to us and the Prepare for Work platform has allowed all students to really benefit whilst thinking about their careers".
The presentation ceremony also recognised the key transferable skills that are valued by employers which students have acquired through different activities both at college and outside of college. Harrow College students have been recording evidence of key skills in their own individual Enterprise Passports which give a valuable record of their attributes and skills which will support them when progressing to a higher course of study or employment. From all completed passports, three special prizes were presented to students who had done exceptionally well. These students were Anish Vadgama, Chloe Dundon and Leyla Jeilani.