The World of Work programme includes a range of secondary school resources that facilitate young people’s understanding of who they are, what skills and attributes they have and what their future might look like when they move into the world of work.
The programme has a strong emphasis on the full breadth of opportunities that are open to young people when they leave the educational arena and encourages a realisation that there is a place for them, whatever and wherever that might be.
All materials are aimed at providing fun, engaging and safe resources, with significant focus on expanding pupil’s communication skills.
The modular programme, which contributes to the Gatsby Benchmarks, can be rolled out as part of a careers week cross-year group (delivered currently with year 10), or within individual lessons or in smaller groups.
Although pitched at the careers’ curriculum, World of Work offers opportunities for enrichment across English, PSHE, maths, design and art.
If following the suggested delivery, much of the content is facilitated by community volunteers with school staff taking on a support role. Participant feedback strongly demonstrates the extent to which volunteer involvement enriches the experience for young people, with volunteers providing useful insights from their own working worlds. Advice is provided within the programme on how to recruit, train and support suitable volunteers.
Programme modules
This is Me!
A day packed with activities aimed at assisting young people to explore what their skills and qualities are, what they may wish to develop and what they might want their future to look like. Participants get a taste of giving and receiving positive feedback and are encouraged to think reflectively. They test drive different interview scenarios, explore some of the practicalities of the working world – such as what to wear and what not to wear in different environments, and look at some of the goals they have when leaving school.
Business Game
A day long game. In small groups, pupils create their own company and its branding then spend the day working through a guided programme to create a bid for a business contract. Volunteer Business Advisors support them during the day, with various unexpected business opportunities and challenges along the way. Groups compete against other teams for the job when pitching to a panel of (neutral) Business Advisors. The resources include a structured programme, all required activity resources and client and session presentations.
Applying for a Job
Resources to help young people have a first attempt at formulating a CV and application form, with examples and templates- tailored to their age. If undertaking the Business Game, CV’s are submitted when applying for company roles.
Interviewing
In addition to the This is Me! interview activities, this module links to the Business Game. Young people are interviewed by volunteer Business Advisors for roles within a company. They get to experience the emotions and challenges faced when being interviewed – all within the safety of small groups and with the caveat of them being novices and not expert interviewees!
Volunteer Recruitment and Training
A structured resource to aid schools recruitment of volunteers and effectively training them. This includes presentations linked to the above modules, recruitment literature, application forms, generic volunteering and safeguarding modules.
Volunteer Strategy
Linked to the World of Work programme, but generic and thus applicable in its own right, this strategy provides resources, ideas and policy aimed at maximising the potential of a school-based volunteer community, while being compliant with relevant requirements.
Teacher / Support Staff materials and Training
For the above modules
Foundations to This is Me!
For earlier years – in development
Pupil feedback +
"The World of Work day was a really good experience and insight into what to expect during an interview."
Aimee S, aged 16, 2018
(About volunteers) "...(they) had knowledge of the role and were able to give insight and advice about future roles."
"Gave helpful advice but still made us think through everything – they didn’t just give us the answers"
Anon, Year 10, 2017
School feedback +
"World at Work has provided a wonderful opportunity for students to work outside of their comfort zone. The business game requires a range of soft skills including team work, problem solving, delegation and creativity that offers a chance for all to excel. Every year it has run there have been numerous examples of students who have bloomed in this exercise and allowed them to identify their own personal leadership skills that are not always evident in the routine of daily lessons. We cannot praise it highly enough"
Chris Panting, Head Teacher, The Ashcombe School, Dorking 2019
"We have been privileged to run the Acumina Business Game in school for a number of years. The preparation with the pupils and the day itself gives pupil’s a real insight into the world of work and has enabled pupils of all abilities the opportunity to work as a team and individually on skills that are relevant to their later life in the workplace"
Stuart Ketley, Assistant Head Teacher, The Ashcombe School, Dorking 2019
Volunteer feedback +
"Volunteering on the World of Work programme is a fulfilling and uplifting experience. Supporting teenagers in their early understanding of what working life is all about, feels like an important thing to do. And the Acumina programme provides a fun and inspirational way of introducing young adults to their working lives"
Sarah Walker, Volunteer Business Advisor, Surrey