The "School Activity Programme" brought together local schools, West Berkshire Training Consortium, West Berks Education Business Partnership, the Raising Participation Partnership, Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Newbury College to create a summer activity programme to support school students in Year 10 and Year 11.
The programme gives school students the opportunity to take part in a one week or three week programme to increase their knowledge of business and improve their self management, team working, problem solving, communication and IT skills.
Principal Dr Anne Murdoch OBE, said, "We are delighted to have been able to run these courses for years 10 and 11 pupils from local Schools to help them remain motivated to stay in education and training. All the pupils worked really hard to achieve their certificates and we are all very proud of them."
The programme was run in response to a need to help the pupils gain employability skills, and this was an opportunity for the college to give students a taste of what it has to offer. Current students of the college were able to lend their experience and help the pupils,
who said, "We found it very beneficial, it's been a great experience. It was fun and interesting, and showed us that there are many career options in addition to staying at school."
When they return to School, pupils will be able to demonstrate how they have gained from learning a range of practical skills for work or pleasure including plumbing and brickwork to hairdressing and media production.
Hilary Omissi OBE, Director or the Raising Participation Partnership said: "This programme is directly related to helping young people develop the skills that employers are looking for. It's exciting to see the work the students have done with support from Newbury College and partners"
Mrs Omissi also comments, "Everyone knows how competitive the jobs market is and this programme works with schools and young people to provide the skills that will employers want and young people need in whatever career they pursue. It's a really great example of a partnership between schools, college, training providers and employers to help today's young people."