Students from St Francis Special School in Lincoln had the opportunity to try their hand at a variety of exciting careers during the school’s industry day in June.

St Francis has been working with the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and the Enterprise Adviser Network since September 2021 and the school has shown a real commitment to developing careers education to help students discover the best next step in their careers journeys.

Organised by heating and hot water specialists Aaron Services, the day involved Lincolnshire businesses coming into the school to host activities from industry sectors that the students might like to be involved with once they have left full-time education.

Students in the upper school, aged 14 to 19, got a flavour of several different industries from construction to environmentalism. They had a chance to build walls, paint doors, construct a bug hotel and help set up an outdoor trampoline. Unsurprisingly though, the most popular activity of all was getting the chance to drive a mini digger!

  

Nick Wray, Assistant Headteacher and Head of Upper School at St Francis, said: “It was lovely to see the smiles on their faces; they had a wonderful day.

“It was a chance for us the show the students what kind of careers are out there and dismiss some perceptions regarding which people can do certain jobs. It was amazing that these businesses wanted to come and support us and we’re grateful for their time.”

The day’s workshops and activities proved to be as exciting as they were informative. Student Kathryn Dirichleau explained: “I loved the painting. I painted a door! It helped me see what the job was really like - I think I want to be a painter now!”

Amber Gregory and Ellie-May Whillock added that they particularly enjoyed the bricklaying and would be interested in finding out more about the training process for this career.

In addition to Aaron Services’ support, other businesses got involved including construction companies Lindum and Galliford Try, outdoor equipment specialist Plum, woodland social enterprise Hill Holt Wood, electronic equipment provider Danfoss, alongside North Kesteven District Council and City of Lincoln Council.

Kirstie Payne, Head of Bids and Marketing at Aaron Services and an Enterprise Adviser, said: “We have had a few of the students from St Francis on work experience and they have all been great; we contacted our suppliers and businesses we work with to bring something to the school.

“We wanted to make the experience practical, something the students could get involved with and something that would importantly give them a fun and enjoyable day.”

Paul Jenkinson from Lindum added:

“It’s good to give something back to the community; our work isn’t all about making profit.

“It has been a lot of fun; I don’t know who had the most fun though, the students or us! I have been very impressed with the students’ capabilities and I really feel like they have got something out of today.”

To find out more information on the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub please click here.

To get involved with future skills and education experiences, contact the Careers Hub team on LEP_ECS@lincolnshire.gov.uk.