Download - Oaks Skills Show Toolkit

Skills Show Toolkit

Skills Show ToolkitIntroduction

Three Birmingham area networks, North West, South and South West successfully bid for £18,000 to support and prepare students for activities around the World Skills Show event held at the NEC in November 2012. One of the funding objectives was to produce a Skills Show Toolkit, with the aim that this will assist engagement around the Skills Show in future years.

The Birmingham schools involved in the City Skills Fund include:

SWAN NetworkColmers School and Sixth Form CollegeShenley AcademyHarborne AcademyHillcrest School and Sixth Form CentreLordswood Girls and Lordswood Boys Schools & Sixth Form CentresSelly Oak Trust School

South NetworkWheelers Lane Technology CollegeKings Heath BoysQueensbridge SchoolBaverstock SchoolHall Green SchoolMoseley School

North West NetworkAston Manor AcademyHolyhead School

Staff and 595 learners from the above schools responded to an online survey to provide feedback on their experiences of the World Skills Show. This has also helped to develop the Skills Show Toolkit.

The Skills Show Toolkit comprises of:

School Case Studies from staff attending the Skills Show in November 2012Learner Case Studies from learners attending the Skills Show in November 2012Top Tips for Schools to get the most out of the Skills ShowCount down Calendar – to help schools plan for the Skills Show

These Case Studies are from learners attending the Skills Show in November 2012. The Case Studies provide an insight into the Skills Show as experienced by learners and how it related to their hobbies, studies or future aspirations. They also illustrate how the Skills Show has assisted the learners with their decision-making for their future.

Learner Case Study

Name: Age:

Describe your experience of the Skills Show and/or Have a Go Activity? What did you do?

Does this relate to your hobbies or what you are studying at school?

If Yes, please say how…

What are your ambitions?

How has the Skills Show/Have a Go activity affected your decision-making for the future?

Mary Whitmore

14

I didn’t do any activities as it was so crowded but I did watch others taking part. I watched the beauty therapists and really enjoyed watching the different techniques and products they were using.

No.

I want to do beauty therapy and hope to go on to college or do an apprenticeship when I leave school.

I could tell from the show that beauty therapy was popular as it was so busy, I would still like to do this as a career when I leave school. After seeing the beauty therapists in action I can’t wait to do this as a job, and I am hoping to do some work experience this year at a beauty salon.

Learner Case Study

STRIVE TO SUCCEED

Name: Age:






Aalia

16

I had a go at the Workshops, e.g. Hair, Cooking, Nails, Health, Nursing etc.

Yes it does as it was fun and educational at the same time. It was relevant to my subject – Health & Social Care.

I want to be a Nursery Assistant or Nurse.

It has given me a taster of what the profession I would like to enter is going to be like and how I will achieve it.

Learner Case Study

Name: Age:






Miriam

16

It was a good experience and I enjoyed it. I tried a lot of different activities at the workshops, e.g. Hair, Cooking, Cocktail making and Case Studies etc.

I am studying Health & Social Care BTEC Level 2. It was informative.

I want to be a Nursery Assistant or a Teacher.

It was a very good experience which I enjoyed a great deal. It made me aware of the different jobs I could do.

Learner Case Study

Name: Age:






Askia Gabbidon

15

We looked at the variety of careers on offer such as Games Development and Design.

Yes, Games Design involved Photoshop which is a hobby of mine.

To become a writer.

It has shown me myriad of jobs that are on offer in adult life.

Learner Case Study

Name: Age:






Maryam

16

I was able to access various experiences at the Skills Show:• Practisedmakingreallystrongropeknots• Identifiedthecorrectvictimusinggivenclues (Forensics)• Madeabadgebyusingamachinetocompress the metal plate and picture together• Satonarealpilotseatandgottoputonthe helmet and gear• Didmyownfingerprintandgotitinakeychain• Answeredsomechemistryquestions• Successfullybandagedthearmofa‘casualty’

The forensics linked with my AS PsychologyThe chemistry quiz linked with my AS ChemistryFirst aid bandaging linked with my AS Biology

To go to university and maybe study Biology and/or Psychology.

It encouraged me to continue along my above route.

Learner Case Study

Name: Age:






Arefha Begum

17

I really enjoyed the experience as it gave us a variety of different things to try out. I did a lot of things including: cartoon portraits; reaction games, fashion show, beauty and nails, tiling, sponge painting etc.

It does relate to my hobbies as I enjoy beauty and nails and also enjoy designing and making clothes. Ialsohaveahobbyofkeepingfit,sothereactiongames are good to keep active.

My ambitions for the future are to start my own chain of retail businesses.

It has made me more enthusiastic about my ambition and career for the future as I was able to view other people’s work and imagine myself in the future – as it gave me some interesting ideas.

Learner Case Study

Name: Age:






Megan

18

I really enjoyed the Skills Show as I was able to learn about the different types of Apprenticeships that were available.

No.

To study Psychology at University and to pursue a career within that sector as well.

It has opened my mind more about the different opportunities that are available aside from University. As well as learning more about Apprenticeships as well.

Learner Case Study

Name: Age:






Safina

19

I found it really helpful to decide on the career I would like to take. I went to most of the stalls and saw what was available.

Yes, as I want to be a fashion designer. The fashion show inspired me a lot.

To become a Teacher, Beautician and also a Fashion Designer.

It has shown me the different types of pathways I can choose to become what I want.

Learner Case Study

The Case Studies are from school/academy staff attending the Skills Show in November 2012. The Case Studies aim to provide information on what the Skills Show can offer young people and what they considered young people have gained from the experience.

The Case Studies also illustrate how schools have used participation at the Skills Show as part of School CEIAG Programmes and offer suggestions for follow up activities.

The Case Studies also offer suggestions for staff on how to get the best out of the Skills Show.

School/Academy Case Studies

School/Academy name: Please describe what the Skills Show/Have a Go Activities offers learners?

What do you think your learners have gained from the experience/s?

How did you incorporate the Skills Show/Have a Go Activities into your CEIAG programme?

Are you considering any ‘follow-on’ activities? If Yes, please describe.

How would you approach the Skills Show/Have a Go Activities differently next year?

Please provide one top tip to get the best out of the Skills Show/Have a Go Activity

Harborne Academy

The Skills Show invites learners to seek support and guidance from the professionals and learners within different industry sectors as well as offer the aspiration into further education. The interactive programme demonstrated the skills needed to work within the industry sectors and asked the students to rise to the challenge.

All learners were able to speak directly to employers and/or students within different sectors of industry. It was important for learners to have a go through the kinaesthetic approach though time was not on their side.

Studentswithinthe6thformandtheidentifiedpreNEETstudents in our Year 11 year group attended the skills show. Parents were also invited to attend to improve their understanding of what is on offer to learners including the Apprenticeship offer.

Wewillbeusingsomeofthefollowup‘Haveago’activities to further develop our learners.

I would ensure that the time available for learners will be increased to ensure they have enough time to visit all areas. I would also ask for a party guide to take us though the different sections to try and make the best possible use of the time at the show.

Map out the best possible route to guide students around the strategic stands and areas of interest for learners before the event.

School/Academy Case Study

School/Academy name: Please describe what the Skills Show/Have a Go Activities offers learners?






Hillcrest

It offers learners the chance to think ahead about and explore different careers.

I think that they have gained an insight into several different careers.

We promoted The Skills Show to Y11, 12 & 13 students and discussed it in form and PSD sessions as well as in assemblies.

We are considering inviting speakers in during National Careers Week and National Apprenticeship Week.

I would build it into our planning earlier on. I would try to secure funding from the school towards the trip. I would ensure each student had a map of the NEC as it was a huge venue and overwhelmed some students.

Ensure that you spend the whole day at the Show – 3 hours is not enough.


School/Academy name:

Please describe what the Skills Show/Have a Go Activities offers learners?






Lordswood Girls’ School andLordswood Boys’ School

It provided learners with the opportunity to see/experiencemanypotential‘career’routesthattheymaynot have necessarily have thought about. There was alsogreatbenefitfromthefactthatitwasclearlyaimedatstudentsratherthanCEIAG‘professionals’.

Ithinkthatlearnershadtheopportunityto‘thinkoutside the box’. It also showed them the many alternative routes other than university which generally seemstobethestandard‘mindset’formanystudents.

We do not have a CEIAG programme per se, rather we takea‘dripfeed’approach.Manyoftheactivities/experiences on offer will be subsequently used within IAG interviews with Tutors and dedicated Careers Advisors within the schools.

An example: one of the follow up activities planned is to deliver sessions to sixth form students with the emphasis on selection procedures with the aim of developing/highlighting‘soft,transferrableskills’.

We decided to attend at relatively short notice (due to being offered sufficient funding enabling us to take 250 students from both sixth forms). Next time, we would have a more planned approach with tutor time dedicated to planning/discussing exhibitors.

Be open minded and plan which stands you want to visit well in advance.









Queensbridge School

Fantastic opportunity to gain insight into huge range of careers under one roof.

A glimpse of a great variety of different career opportunities, some known but most unknown to them.

It is an important event at the beginning of a year of raising awareness for Y9 pupils around pathways and careers. Intensive Weeks, Options guidance, student leadership opportunities and preparation for Work Experience at the beginning of Y10 all reinforce and develop this awareness throughout Year 9 in preparation for KS4 and beyond.

See above.

Much more targeted planning and more time spent at the show to allow for pupils to move around more freely to pursue things of interest to them, and have moretimeforthe‘HaveaGo’activities.

Plan to maximise opportunities for pupils to have a go and ask meaningful questions of the experts there.









Moseley

An excellent opportunity to explore career ideas and to have a “hands-on” experience.

Opportunities to speak with people about career ideas, to participate in activities, to try activities and watch demonstrations.

It formed part of the Year 12 tutorial programme.

Under consideration.

I would want to explore if we could take more students, including some from Year 11.

Prepare the students re: what’s available at the show, so that they can be focused when they get there; and thus get the most out of the day.


Skills Show ToolkitCount down Calendar

1 Year in advance: (November - March)

Add the dates for the Skills Show into the School Calendar:

Confirmeddatesareasfollows:14-16November2013,NECBirmingham

November 2014, NEC Birmingham

6 months: (April - May)

Look out for The Skills Show email campaign directed to schools with details about the Skills Show. This is also likely to include a brochure about the event.

Get in touch with the Skills Show to book your visit:http://worldskillsuk.apprenticeships.org.uk/the-skills-show

0845 475 [email protected]

Begin to identify the cohort you aim to take to The Skills Show. This could also involve surveying the learners to identify the careers they are interested in.

Make your transport arrangements. The Skills Show will provide travel bursaries. The value of the travel bursary in November 2013 is likely to be approximately £1 for each learner based on a group size of 50 learners. This may increase for less popular time slots. The Skills Show organisers may also equip their College sponsors with a travel bursary, to enable Skills Show travel arrangements to be booked via your local College.

Follow The Skills Show on social media: Twitter and Facebook

3-2 months: (September - October)

BegintopreparetheidentifiedcohortforTheSkillsShowevent.

The Skills Show organisers intend to publish a Teacher pack for November 2013, which is likely to include a day planner and a floor plan. It may also provide ideas for lesson plans on The Skills Show and vocational skills. They are also considering the development of materials for parents/carers.

Skills Show ToolkitCount down Calendar

1 month: (October - November)

Carry out a risk assessment for the trip.

Ensure you have all relevant medical information/emergency contact information for the learner cohort attending the event.

Obtain parental consent for the cohort attending the event.

2 - 1 weeks: (November)

Hold a team meeting with colleagues who will be attending The Skills Show, to ensure all are briefed and are aware of arrangements and what to expect.

Follow up activities: Post Skills Show

Provide feedback about The Skills Show experience in School Assemblies, or through learner presentations about The Skills Show delivered to (vertical) Tutor groups.

Nominate a Learner Skills Show Ambassador – attendance at parents’ evenings.

The Skills Show organisers are aiming to develop personalised CEIAG information to send to learners, based on their interests and preferences.

Skills Show ToolkitTop Tips for Schools

The Skills Show is billed as the UK’s largest skills and careers event, aimed to inspire young people with exciting opportunities in further education, skills and Apprenticeships. The inaugural event in November 2012 attracted over 70,000 visitors.

The Skills Show offers the opportunity for learners to try bite-size tasters of work-related skills, speak with employers about job and training opportunities, receive specialist advice, hear industry speakers and watch skill performances and competitions.

With so much to see and do, staff attending the event in November 2012 have provided the following suggestions to assist schools to get the best out of the future Skills Show events.

Pre-Visit:Add the Skills Show into the School Calendar. Consider how the event can be incorporated into the School CEIAG programme.

Identify the target cohort to attend the Skills Show – with focus on Apprenticeships/Vocational Learning.Contact The Skills Show in advance of making travel arrangements to access Travel bursary funds.

Plan your trip. Discuss the types of exhibitors/workshops/Have a Go activities available with the learners.Map the best route for learners to cover the stands of interest to learners.

Ensure each learner has a map of the venue.

Prepare the learners – ensure they have food/drink and an awareness of the size of the venueEnlist the support of a Skills Show Guide to direct you to the different sections.

The Visit:Ensure that you have sufficient time to cover all areas of interest for learners.Try to maximise opportunities at the Skills Show – with learners accessing the Have a Go activities

Post-Visit:Access the free Have a Go activities – offered by Colleges, Employers, Training ProvidersCount down Calendar – to help schools plan for the Skills Show

Download - Oaks Skills Show Toolkit

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