RAISE-ing the bar on education/business links

The CMP RAISE programme reached a heart-warming conclusion at The Village Hotel in Farnborough, when the cohort of students from Tomlinscote School (part of The Prospect Trust) made presentations reflecting their experiences to an audience of parents, employers and school leaders, before receiving certificates of participation from CMP Chair, Paul Edwards.

RAISE is a CMP initiative involving our Members who have generously volunteered to host work place visits by the group of year 9 students. The students, all of whom had passed through a rigorous selection process to be included in the programme, had been welcomed by an array of businesses and hugely different employment sectors.

During activity based trips, the cohort had also heard from a wide range of people - business founders, company directors, apprentices, senior managers and more - giving them an extraordinary insight into the world of work, employment opportunities and career journeys.

The initiative is aimed at raising aspirations, inspiring, supporting and encouraging young people - hence RAISE. The adventure began in the spring with a trip to Farnborough Airport before moving on to UK Connect; day 2 saw the youngsters spending time at The Village Hotel then travelling to nearby BMW Group UK. The programme concluded with a third day hosted by Amazon Filters.

'RAISE has opened our eyes to how the real world works and what adults do to keep the world going round. We also learnt how every job no matter how big or small, it matters to the company,' one student told the enthralled audience.

'Seeing behind the scenes sparked a real interest for me and a different view of workplaces', said another.

Has RAISE achieved its aims? Here is a selection of takeaways from the people whose opinions really matter: the students:

• 'It was so interesting to learn just how many jobs there are and how varied they could be, just in one company.'

  
  

• 'It was fun to explore the different job roles and find out more about each of them.'

  
  

• 'We had to design a car, pitch our ideas and then build it - out of lollipop sticks and pipe cleaners!'

  
  

• 'The tour was amazing - we would never have guessed we were still in Frimley!'

  
  

• 'We met such a range of people - like Dan who began as an apprentice at 16 and Chris who joined after university.'

• 'We expected the visit to be boring and 'sciency' - but we loved it. And Neil, the boss, was a superstar!'

Rob Major, Principal, recognised the value RAISE had brought to students and to his School: 'We recently received the prestigious Investors in Careers quality award. Our assessors were so excited by RAISE and highlighted the initiative as an example of something new in schools, providing different opportunities for students.'

Simon Jarvis, CMP CEO who had created RAISE in 2023, said: 'It's difficult for even outstanding schools like Tomlinscote to provide authentic, meaningful links between the curriculum in education and the real world of work.

But, brokered by CMP, this collaboration between the School (energetically coordinated by programme leader Caroline Crabtree), and brilliant, forward thinking local companies who have committed themselves so positively, has gifted these young people - on the verge of making really important career choices - with an invaluable insight into life opportunities.'

Thank you to all involved in this year's RAISE programme: and our very best wishes to the impressive young people who've participated so enthusiastically this year as they make their way through education and into employment.

Amazon Filters