Career WorkOut Champion Worktree MK-based, a company since 1992, charity since 2001, operating as Countec Education Business Partnership until 2012: arranged 50,000 work placements; ran a full-time Citischool ‘school without walls’, later became iPEC with annual roll of 50 excluded teenagers; in 2012, produced ‘World of Work’ career trump card, now used in 500+ UK schools; in 2013-15, visited Uganda, China and India to train teachers and trainers to deliver employability training. Now focused on scaling up ‘Career WorkOut’

How are you helping MK grow? We all want a first class, skilled, motivated and dependable workforce in MK and district. Academic studies are necessary but don’t normally cover the real world of work. Curriculum doesn’t make much room for that – it’s all about teaching to the script, Ofsted, etc. Do we want our kids to have a more realistic view of how to make the most of their abilities so they can hit the ground running when they enter the workforce? Yes, of course

Do more with one hour in a local secondary school But who can give those kids the realistic view I mentioned? Their teachers don’t have time, and often their parents can’t or won’t. Yet they need that information now, while they’re still contemplating their career choices. So it’s dependent on you people sitting out there – because you are the people who are doing business or working in the public sector and overall have your fingers on the pulse of where it’s at now. Research shows: Pupils achieve more in school if they have work aspirations (Institute of Education, 2012) Young people prefer careers information directly from employees (City & Guilds, 2012) The more employer contacts they have, the more they learn about work (Employers & Education Taskforce, 2011)

What’s involved Sit in a circle with other work guests Talk to students about what you do/did at your work Answer their questions about what it is/was like for you No preparation, just book online and turn up Anybody with experience of work can do it.

Career WorkOut – small groups of 3-5 secondary students interview 6-8 diverse guests about their work in a one-hour carousel of 6-8 minute interviews. Typical questions: What’s your job? How did you get it? Why do you do it? What would you change about it? What advice would you give...?

Benefits Social responsibility Staff recruitment Staff productivity MK’s future prosperity depends on young workers having good awareness of different career opportunities and strong employability skills. Staff recruitment By asking questions about your work, students are introduced to your company and the benefits of working there. Staff productivity After participating in a session, 98% work guests agree and 41% strongly agree “I now feel more positive about my work”. Networking Chance to meet fellow professionals who share your business ethos. Evidence from first term of operation, Sep-Dec 2015: At February 2016, 2000 students and 400 work guests participated in 60 sessions.   Students experienced 20% increase in 'confidence making choices about my future work options’ 20% increase in 'confidence talking to adults I don't know‘ 8% increase in 'commitment to learning and achieving'.   99% of guests 'enjoyed the session’ and 98% ‘felt valued’ 100% teachers agreed 'the session helped students develop their employability skills'.

Costs Just one hour of your time... ...plus informal business networking if you wish

Contact or contact bhupinder.roda@worktree.org tel 01908 209960 To be a Work Guest, go www.worktree.org or contact bhupinder.roda@worktree.org tel 01908 209960

You are welcome Join us for Career WorkOuts and share your professional branding with our sponsors. We look forward to welcoming you at www.worktree.org, bhupinder.roda@worktree.org, tel 01908 209960