Skills@Work Introductory Session presentation - Sisk & St. Kevin's Crumlin - October 2017

Editor's Notes

• #4: See H drive Skills @ Work – sample sessions folder for a variety of icebreakers – Line up chairs and ask students line up on the chairs in alphabetical order according to their first names in silence (no talking allowed) then introduce themselves and share some information .. (Check with the teacher first in case there are students that cannot be included in this exercise, in which case do it on the ground) Other suggestions include a goal for the future, what they want to learn during the programme, a favourite hobby or school subject
• #5: Introduce yourself and BITCI Established in 2000, a non profit organization committed to supporting Irish companies to do good….
• #6: This is what we do is… Our ambition is to enable and empower students around the country to make positive choices We link schools and businesses so you can meet people in the workplace and learn from their experiences We want to open up the world of work to you and help you make informed choices. Follow up with stories about programme impacts – the difference the programme made to students who participated
• #7: S@W focuses on the link between education and the world of work Explain that this is a practical programme where a local company agrees to work with the students of a local school. Over the course of the next few months, you will visit company X and the employees will visit your school to share their own experiences about their career paths, their current roles, cv/interview preparation and skills needed in today’s workplace. Ask the question ‘Why’ a company would agree to participate – ie ‘You are the future workforce in this community’’. Companies like X see it as a a good investment of money, time and energy to encourage and support your education. It is always a privilege to help a young person on their way; This is a fabulous opportunity for the students if they engage with the company employees and learn from the experience.
• #9: THE BENEFITS – why would a bunch of teens be interested in taking part? Talk up the opportunities A company visit, seeing how they operate their successful business Meeting new people who are open to helping you and giving sound advice Discovering careers you didn’t know exist or finding out important information about your interested career Having the benefit of expert advice from HR staff, an opportunity to network with people involved in staff selection and a chance to ask for their advice Practical skills on how to prepare a cv and for interview – actually having an interview and getting feedback
• #10: Use this opportunity to highlight programme benefits again and relay stories of students who had positive experiences. Also use this slide to highlight our evaluations and tell them that they will have their turn to give us feedback at the end of the year. TALK ABOUT PROGRAMME IMPACTS BY TELLING STORIES ABOUT STUDENTS WHO BENEFITED FROM THE PROGRAMME
• #11: Outline the format of the programme. Each session can be briefly and ask ‘why do you think the company are going to do this session”? Why would this information be important or why is it important for you to have this skill? Re-emphasise the importance of the access to a company’s insight and expertise and to be able to learn essential new skills for their future. You could use the point from Diane re: how much people pay for consultancy per day and they are getting this programme for a full school year and all they need to do is PARTICIPATE. Emphasis that the wrap session is their responsibility – use it as an opportunity to be creative, use their skills and say thanks.
• #12: What I can do to get the most out of the programme. Try to get the students to give you as many suggested answers as possible – the main answers you are looking for are on the next slide
• #13: Talk about how important it is for company employee (who are not teachers) to have students engage by asking questions and participating fully i.e. take notes, take photos, meet & greet, say thanks. Also listening to speakers and being respectful both in the classroom and the workplace. Mention importance of H&S guidelines within the workplace
• #14: Ask these questions and move onto the next slide
• #15: Consider if the topic in the centre could be changed to suit a skill within the link company and become a topic of discussion.
• #18: WORK SHADOWING/VOLUNTEERING / WORK EXPERIENCE IS A GREAT WAY TO ENHANCE YOUR CV – TELLS A LOT ABOUT YOUR ATTITUDE. “EMPLOYERS HIRE FOR ATTITUDE AND TRAIN FOR SKILLS” Volunteers don’t get paid not because they are worthless but because they are priceless. Volunteering is a great way to find out about the world of work and gain exposure to the type of career that you think might be for you. Also having experience will add value to your cv and indicates you are willing to work without getting paid .... You are motivated and not money driven. Speaking to someone in the job, is a great start. If you are interested in a particular career but don’t know anyone in that job, enquire of family/friends/neighbours. Most people would be chuffed to be asked by a young person about their job and happy to share their experience. Be prepared when you meet, have some questions written out.
• #20: Talk about how important it is for company employee (who are not teachers) to have students engage by asking questions and participating fully i.e. take notes, take photos, meet & greet, say thanks. Also listening to speakers and being respectful both in the classroom and the workplace. Mention importance of H&S guidelines within the workplace
• #21: Talk about how important it is for company employee (who are not teachers) to have students engage by asking questions and participating fully i.e. take notes, take photos, meet & greet, say thanks. Also listening to speakers and being respectful both in the classroom and the workplace. Mention importance of H&S guidelines within the workplace
• #23: Ask these questions and move onto the next slide