Ron Dearing UTC has launched an exciting new programme with its employer partners to provide hands-on industry experiences and visits for sixth form students as they consider their next steps.
Twelve of the school’s employer partners attended the UTC’s third Employer Breakfast Meeting to hear more about how they can offer Industry Experience Placements (formerly known as work experience placements) to Year 12 students and Industry Insights Visits to Year 12 and Year 13 students.
Employer partners can advertise Industry Experience Placements to Year 12 students from early May. Students will then complete application forms, interviews will go ahead and offers will be made, enabling them to experience the full application process before starting their placements during the summer holidays.
In addition, two-hour Industry Insights Visits are being organised for groups of Year 12 or Year 13 students during term time, giving them an in-person insight into a company’s brand, values, career opportunities and the technology used in the sector.
Two former Ron Dearing UTC students, Trainee Computer-aided Design (CAD) Technician Oliver Wilkinson and Engineering Apprentice Liam Bowering, are now employed by Spencer Group, one of the UTC’s Founding Partners.
They told the Employer Breakfast meeting attendees about the benefits they gained from work experience, which led to them being employed by Spencer Group, as well as how they are now mentoring the most recent Spencer apprentices from Ron Dearing UTC.
Yvonne Moir, Spencer Group’s HR Director, encouraged other employer partners to embrace the opportunity of meeting and working with Ron Dearing students to bolster their future talent pipeline.
Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal – Employer Engagement at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “We have extremely gifted young people at Ron Dearing UTC and we want to give them the best possible careers advice and guidance and opportunities, experiencing industry and the workplace to help them choose the right path for them.
“Some Industry Insights Visits have already taken place and we’re encouraging all of our fantastic employer partners to get involved, giving masterclass talks and tours to open our students’ eyes to their industries.
“What we do alongside our employers partners in the classroom is already excellent. But the more opportunities we can give our students, the more they will secure the jobs they aspire to in these sectors and help make a difference.”
Simon Connell, CEO of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, and Kate Ambrosi, Director of Innovation and Learning at the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, also attended the breakfast meeting before a tour of the UTC’s facilities with Principal Sarah Pashley.
The school is currently undergoing expansion to increase its capacity from 600 to 800 students following growing demand. Work to remodel the existing school building is now complete and work is underway to transform the former Central Fire Station next door to the school into a satellite school, which is due to open in June.
Simon said: “Ron Dearing UTC has been a success story from day one and it’s really uplifting to be here.
“Employers at the breakfast meeting know what’s being asked of them and what Ron Dearing UTC will do to support that process. It’s fantastic, very prescriptive and authentic and it’s what UTCs were set up for.
“When you’re full and really successful, you want to grow your impact and I’m thrilled Ron Dearing UTC is making more space for young people.”
Sarah said: “Simon was instrumental in helping us to put the bid together for the grant application to increase our student numbers and transform the former fire station into a state-of-the-art creative facility, housing STEAM Studios.
“We’re very grateful to him for his time and expertise. The tour was a great opportunity to show Simon and Kate how the expansion is progressing on the countdown to completion in June.”