Co-op bringing the world of work into school

Local employer Lincolnshire Co-op is to run a month of careers-related activity at Athena School in Lincoln, with help from the LEP’s own Careers Hub.

Activities throughout January will focus on Lincolnshire Co-op and its different areas of activity. Talks and enterprise sessions will showcase the different opportunities for careers and skills development at the society, and all students at the school will take part.

“We’ve decided to dedicate the whole month to our annual careers event this year to enable our pupils to really digest what they experience rather than have a whistle stop tour of a careers week,” said Becky Wyles, Athena School’s Careers and Further Education Coordinator.

“We’re very excited by the partnership with Lincolnshire Co-op and hope to learn a lot about the different pathways that can be taken in a local industry. We will finish our month with our post-16 fair where the local colleges are invited to talk about their provision with our pupils.”

Sue Ritchie, Lincolnshire Co-op’s Enterprise Adviser who works with the LEP, added: “This event will raise the aspirations of the young people at the school who all have social, emotional or mental health challenges to overcome,” said. “These can limit their beliefs in what they can achieve.

“This month of activities will give pupils the opportunity to create relationships with members of the Lincolnshire Co-op team to help them build understanding of the world of work and to increase confidence.

“Lincolnshire Co-op is committed to making life better in our communities and is delighted to support Athena School with its Careers Month. What better way to do it than by helping students understand more about what the Co-op can offer as an employer and about the world of work in general?”

Alex Nightingale, Enterprise Co-ordinator at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Careers Hub, said: “This is the first time a Lincolnshire school and their matched employer has dedicated a whole month to careers and employment at Lincolnshire Co-op.

“It’s a fantastic concept that will really help raise aspirations and the students’ knowledge of the world of work.”

This month of activities will contribute to the school’s wider strategy on CEIAG (careers education, information, advice and guidance) and in particular supports Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6, which concentrate on ensuring that employers are engaged with schools and that young people receive regular, meaningful interactions with local businesses.