Looking to the future

STUDENTS from a Middlesbrough academy have linked up with Erimus Housing to gain valuable experience for the future.

The town’s largest landlord is investing on the workforce of tomorrow by working in partnership with Unity City Academy on an Extended Work Based Learning project.

The scheme, which has been launched with the help of Pertemps and Connexions, builds on the traditional work experience pupils undertake in year 10.

The project, which could lead to two students becoming apprentices with the housing association, began with 30 students visiting the organisation to find out more about its work, the different jobs available and what makes a good tenant.

An application process to the next stage of the project then saw 15 students spending a full week within the organisation.

Staff from the training and development team and Connexions worked with the group, enabling them to gain experience of life being a boss, developing a regeneration project, team working and other skills before undergoing a week of work experience.

Allison Joynes, Employee Development Manager, said: “The idea of the project is to provide the students with more than just work experience. We want to give them the opportunity to really see what we do as a housing association. They can then make a more informed decision about their future career.

“Even if they are not successful in gaining an apprenticeship place with us, we hope to have provided them with a much more meaningful work experience to help them feel motivated to get a job when they leave school.

“Many of these students are also our potential tenants of the future and this project enables us to discuss with them the responsibilities of being a tenant.”

The next stage of the project will see just a handful of the students spending more time with Erimus during school holidays, learning and developing skills that will help them make decisions about their chosen career.

The project has been so successful, it may be repeated and even extended to other schools within the Middlesbrough area.

Sue Auton, Vice Principal at the academy, said: “The programme has provided the students with the inspiration and motivation to enter today’s competitive workforce.”

For more information, contact Helen Sturdy, Communications and Media Officer, on 01642 773616.