Tarmac, the UK’s leading construction solutions business, has recently celebrated the completion of a groundbreaking Personal Enrichment programme which has been co-designed with SkillForce to help sixth form students prepare for the world of work.
The company is the first business to partner with the pioneering national educational charity and sixteen students from Rawlins Academy, located just a few miles from Tarmac’s Mountsorrel quarry in Leicestershire, presented their experiences taken from the scheme and skills they developed throughout the process to Tarmac and SkillForce colleagues.
Martin Riley, Tarmac’s senior vice-president, said: “We’re extremely proud of what this new partnership has delivered, and it’s been great to see the students develop new skills and knowledge through the Personal Enrichment Programme. As a national business providing employment opportunities across the UK, this has proven another great way to inspire and support young people into successful careers.
“We’re committed to fuelling the pipeline of future talent for the construction industry and showing that we’re passionate about people. Collaborating with SkillForce has been a valuable experience and we’re looking forward to continuing to work together for the future.”
The programme, designed in partnership between the two organisations, featured team-building exercises and an introduction to the world of work which included CV writing workshops, a mock assessment centre developing presentation skills and learning business processes. Students also spent time researching and delivering team projects on engaging primary school children in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.
The Prince William Award, one of the leading schemes in the UK that is helping younger children to improve confidence, resilience and engagement with school, social skills, provided the inspiration for the programme.
SkillForce’s instructors predominantly have an armed forces background and bring a wide variety of career and life experience, making them ideal role models. The charity has helped tens of thousands of young people turn their lives around to realise their potential, and HRH The Duke of Cambridge has been its Royal Patron since 2009.
Ben Slade, CEO for SkillForce, said: “It’s been very rewarding working with Tarmac to deliver a programme which will provide so many benefits to young people – they face more pressure today than ever before and we must support them to develop the vital skills and character traits needed to be able to tackle the challenges of life and work, as well as embrace opportunities.
“I have been delighted to see the progress of the students and having met them again on the final day of the programme, I feel sure that this experience has been extremely positive and that they will all go on to achieve great things.”
Tarmac also works in partnership with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), to enable more young people to better their life prospects and achieve the DofE Gold Award. Both partnerships are key components of Tarmac’s broad-ranging and industry-leading efforts to support young people in diverse career paths.
Image Credit: Ben Slade, SkillForce CEO, speaks at a Tarmac conference
