CHAMBER NEWS
Exciting Derby skills initiative calls for more business support
The first phase of a new initiative to engage and introduce primary school children to the changing world of work has been hailed a success, with organisers calling on more businesses to get involved. The Our Future Derby project is
being delivered in partnership by the Chamber, Learn by Design, Education and Employers, Forum Talent Potential, DMH Associates, local primary schools and employers. It connects primary school
children and teachers with local businesses; helping reduce the gap between education and the world of work. Activities are being delivered in
32 participating primary schools across Derby City, with more than 226 business volunteers from 142 organisations so far supporting the initiative, funded through the Department for Education’s Opportunity Area Programme. The Chamber is now
encouraging more businesses to get involved, with a full programme of activities for volunteers continuing to the Summer. Volunteers can benefit from a free training session, with the next at the Chamber’s Derby office on 12 February (register at
https://bit.ly/373vw7L).
INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES Activities businesses have been involved with include ‘What’s my Line?’ assemblies to give children the opportunity to quiz businesspeople about what they do for a living, as well as interactive quizzes, enterprise days, careers sessions and STEM-based challenges. Year 3 pupils at Dale Primary
School worked with staff from the Zenerjii Juice Bar, in Intu Shopping
32 business network February 2020
Centre, to carry out science experiments into what the juiciest fruits are, before proposing recipe ideas for the company’s new kids’ drinks range. Elsewhere, pupils at Landau
Forte Moorhead worked with volunteers from heritage organisation Historic England on a history project, tasked with researching listed sites in Derby with links to the Roman Empire and World War Two. Their work formed the basis of an exhibition, open to parents and the community.
RAISING ASPIRATIONS The main objectives of Our Future Derby are to open children’s eyes to future career possibilities, develop employability skills, encourage parents to raise children’s aspirations, and support teachers in linking classroom learning with the needs of the local labour market. Chris Hobson, Director of Policy
at the Chamber, said: “By bringing children, parents and guardians, schools, teachers and employers together to plant the seeds of aspiration and create a positive view of future career opportunities, we hope to get children engaged, inspired and excited by the opportunities on offer to them. “We hope even more businesses
and their employees take up the mantle in 2020 to take this message into their local primary schools and start to build positive relationships with their future workforce.”
‘EXTREMELY REWARDING’ Laura Howard, the Chamber’s Head of International Trade, volunteered. She said: “I have a thirst for learning and wanted to share my enthusiasm with young people at the start of their pathway to careers.
“As a mother of two daughters, I
wanted to inspire girls in particular to reach for the stars. My kids thought it was cool that I went into a school to speak like their teachers. I got to meet some inspiring children and learn what motivates tomorrow’s workforce.” Pete Smith, Chief Executive of
Efficiency East Midlands, a public sector procurement specialist, got involved alongside colleague Rebecca Dermody-Simmons. He said: “Supporting the community is in our DNA, so we were delighted to get involved in this initiative. To go into a school and talk to children about how we got into the positions we’re in was a great thing to do. “I wasn’t good at school but I
was able to show children, through my story, that if you really want to do something and you put your mind to it, you don’t need to be the cleverest person to achieve it. It’s about having belief and applying yourself properly, which was the message I tried to give.” Claire Storey, a professional
linguist and owner of Claire Storey
Languages, which offers translation and tuition services, underwent two volunteer training days and took part in ‘What’s my Line?’ assemblies. She said: “I’m always interested in talking to people about languages, so Our Future Derby seemed a natural thing to do; it gives me the opportunity to get young people enthused about language from an early age. “It’s about connecting with
children and making them think slightly differently about the skills and how they might relate to what I had to say.”
GET INVOLVED If you’re a Derbyshire-based business or employee, visit
bit.ly/EMC_OurFutureDerby Register before 10am on 19 February and you could win a pair of tickets to Derby County’s home match against Fulham on 22 February.
REGISTER AT
https://sforce.co/37zIGt6 and one winner will be picked at random to receive two tickets.
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