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Bridgend students experience the Connaught way of work
Bridgend students experience the Connaught way of work
July 7th 2010
A group of students from the Bridgend area will be spending the next two weeks enjoying a valuable work experience taster, as Connaught Partnerships rolls out its first work experience programme in Wales.
The programme, which has been developed by the social housing specialist over the past three years, has been successfully running in other parts of the UK and now following the buy-in from Wales’ first housing association, Valleys to Coast (V2C); it is now being rolled out across the Bridgend area.
The three pupils, all from Ynysawdre School in Tondu, have undertaken interviews with the integrated services provider and have been selected on their demonstrated commitment to learning in the workplace.
Year 10 pupils Matthew Dare, Owen Williams and Ricky Davies will now spend the next two weeks undertaking a variety of work experience modules, under the watchful eye of three staff ambassadors.
Connaught’s work experience programme has been developed with students needs at the heart and aims to provide them with the necessary skills and experience that can be developed through both self and group learning. It is also different from many other formal work experience programmes in that it trains staff ambassadors to help deliver the programme.
Whilst on placement the three pupils will gain experience in a variety of trades including kitchen fitting, tiling, plumbing, administration and project management. Three members of the Connaught team will provide mentoring to the three pupils on a daily basis.
Matthew Dare said: “Whilst discussing the work experience at school I expressed an interest in the construction industry and the school mentioned about the opportunities at Connaught.
“I hadn’t heard of going to an interview for work experience and it was quite daunting, however looking back I now realise why this was necessary. It really helped me understand what it’s like in the real world and is something we will all have to go through when we finish school.
“I have received information from Connaught and am now really looking forward to the next two weeks and understanding what type of roles make up an organisation like Connaught – I’m also hoping it will help me make future career choices.”
Catherine Pick, a Connaught tenant liaison officer working on the V2C programme, is one of the ambassadors who will work with the three students. She said: “When I learnt of the opportunities to become an ambassador I jumped at the chance. Work experience programmes can often be very limited with pupils not actually learning too much.
“I have been through an intense training programme to become an ambassador which involved interview techniques, understanding body language and relating to young people.
“I am really looking forward to working with the students and offering them support and guidance. It is vital the young people get the most out of their work placements and I look forward to seeing their development in the two week period.”