More than two thirds of secondary school students to have received careers advice as part of the Silverstone Park Schools Programme would now consider working for a tech or engineering-based company.
The latest figures, based on feedback from the 955 Year 8 and 9 students reached in the 2023-24 academic year, showed that 71% had had their interest sparked by businesses who, as part of the programme, volunteer their time to deliver industry-focused workshops or tours of their premises.
The programme’s work for 2024-25 is set to begin next week with three partners schools – Sponne School in Towcester, Kingsthorpe College in Northampton and The Buckingham School in Buckingham – whose students and teachers will benefit from the volunteers’ advice about career types and pathways in the tech industry.
Feedback from students at Sponne, Kingsthorpe and Buckingham in 2023-24 showed that as a result of the programme’s careers workshops and business visits:
• 94% increased their understanding of the skills required to succeed in the world of work
• 91% increased their understanding of the importance of STEM GCSE subjects for accessing future resources
• 82% improved their knowledge about the subjects they want to study next
• 90% found out more about jobs available at Silverstone Park
• 71% would consider working for a tech or engineering-based company
• 75% would consider a job at Silverstone Park
The programme was launched in 2018 in response to local employers’ concerns about the skills gap. It has since reached over 9,000 young people.
Leonie Matthews, Programme Manager at Ahead Partnership which manages the programme for Silverstone Park, commented: “The site visits – where the students see what is happening inside tech businesses at Silverstone Park – have been a real eye-opener into what the world of work and the jobs of the future look like, as well as the types of opportunities that are going to be available right on their doorstep.
“Consider that many of the businesses at Silverstone Park are innovating in and operating at the highest levels of advanced engineering and manufacturing in sectors such as aerospace, cleantech, defence, marine, motorsport including F1, oil and gas and even nuclear, as well as space.
“The interactive industry days in the students’ classrooms have also enabled them to hear from professionals about career journeys and routes into industry.
“By participating, the volunteers are actively helping to address the skills gap and role-model their professions, promoting their companies to a potential future skills pipeline.
“It’s been inspiring to see how many young people have engaged and are now open to considering the exciting jobs in tech and with companies at Silverstone Park and we look forward to building on the Programme’s success now through to next summer.”
There are still opportunities for businesses to become part of the Silverstone Park Schools Programme. Those interested should email: leonie.matthews@aheadpartnership.org.uk
CLICK HERE to read what the three schools have had to say about the programme in the run-up to it commencing again for the 2024-25 academic year.
