Schools

As you know, not all pupils are academically minded.

Some can be hard to engage with, others might be confused about their options and sadly, an element will fall in with the wrong crowd embarking on anti-social behaviour and crime.

We work closely with secondary schools in Leeds and Bradford to support them in their bid to engage with these pupils.

We do this by providing alternative high-quality career guidance and offer opportunities for pupils in the construction industry at a critical school age so they can take their first steps towards a employment.

In partnership with the Pudsey-based G&H Group – a £30m mechanical and electrical company – pupils are given hands-on learning experiences in the G&H Apprentice Training Academy.

The aim is to introduce pupils to the endless opportunities within construction while at the same time providing practical initiatives that include elements of maths, English and other important subjects.

This is delivered subliminally in a vocational setting through interesting problem-solving scenarios.

Having given pupils an insight, we work with them and their school to ensure they work hard in their remaining academic years so they can access construction related apprenticeships and jobs.

Our belief is that everyone should have the chance to understand what a career is and learn the steps and skills required to create one.

As well as helping pupils forge careers we increase and improve their:

  • Self-esteem
  • Ambitions
  • Attendance
  • Literacy and maths
  • Self-awareness
  • Empathy
  • Creative thinking
  • Decision making
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
Apprentice measuring up

COURSES

We run courses in and out of term time for groups of 6 – 8 pupils in six week blocks.

This gives pupils the chance to consider construction as career option and sets out the steps they need to take so they can pursue jobs when they leave school.

Below is what is included in a typical course with a range of key objectives being met. 

COURSE OVERVIEW

WEEK 1

INTRODUCTION

Objectives
  • To establish young people’s understanding of the project
Overview
  • What are the practical sessions?
  • Discuss skills and attitudes needed
  • Measure prepare drawing/plan
  • Show completed radiator/pipe layout plan
WEEK 2

RADIATOR EXCERCISE

Objectives Split group into two
  • Encourage communication, creative thinking, problem solving
  • Plan and prepare
  • Literacy and maths
  • Create confidence/self esteem
Overview
  • Calculate what materials are needed & how much they will cost
  • Collect materials from the onsite store
  • Create a finished product from the plan
WEEK 3

GROUP SWAP TASKS

Objectives
  • As week 2
Overview
  • As week 2
WEEK 4

PERSONAL SAFETY TALK WITH GUEST SPEAKER

Objectives

  • To encourage young people to think about setting realistic achievable goals
  • To highlight the number of influences that can affect a young person in achieving their target
  • Plan and prepare
  • British Values

Overview

  • Understanding risk, peer messages and support
  • Key contacts, goals and achievement(s), exams, college, work.
  • Potential negative influences (people, places behaviours)
  • Rule of law, democracy, tolerance, individual liberty, mutual respect
  • Begin toilet and basin installation
WEEK 5

WASH BASIN / TOILET INSTALLATION

Objectives

  • Plan, Prepare and Install
  • Group discussion: self and group reflection about the journey of the project
  • Create a piece that is useful to you and can have everyday use
  • Improve ambitions

Overview

  • Critical and creative thinking
  • Self and group reflection
  • Skills needed to succeed.
  • Positive/negative influences
  • Decision making, choices and consequences

 

WEEK 6

ASSEMBLY / END OF PROJECT CELEBRATION

Objectives

  • Make a piece that is useful to you and you can take away to keep (creative thinking/problem solving)
  • Certificate of attendance and achievement presented by G&H Group MD Graham Kelly
  • Celebration lunch

Overview

  • School assembly led by the working group. Skills obtained / aspirations
  • Graham to talk to the group about his working journey
  • What makes a good employee?
  • Possible guest speaker JJB to inspire
  • Sandwiches/drink. Parent/carer/Guest invite
CRAWSHAW ACADEMY EMBLEM

“We have found BFT's offer to be a fantastic way to get students engaged with the practical aspects of work. The facilities at G&H are state-of-the-art and have allowed students to experience plumbing and other skills first hand. They are renowned locally for being passionate about community involvement and helping young people on their path to paid work through skills development. This offer has really filled a void in our provision and has had tangible benefit for our students.”

Jane Wearing, Student Progression & Staff Development Lead, Crawshaw Academy

Our work also helps schools develop and improve the eight Gatsby benchmarks of Good Career Guidance in line with Sir John Holman’s research report.

  1. A stable careers programme 
  2. Learning from career and labour market Information
  3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
  4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
  5. Encounters with employers and employees
  6. Experiences of workplaces
  7. Encounters with further and higher education
  8. Personal guidance
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