Careers Information for Businesses

There are many ways you can help Swindon Academy students realise their potential and pursue the right career path for them.

In fact, the more businesses we can involve in our careers programme, the more experiences students have. There is always a project running that we are looking for support from local businesses for. Here are just a few examples of ways you could get involved:

Business Mentoring: This involves supporting students in their CV and application writing, understanding their motivations, choices, goals and action planning to reach their career goals.

Work Inspiration visits: Providing “a day in the life of type experience” to help students to understand the variety and scope of roles within an organisation and the career paths of employees. Many organisations find that young people are often unaware of the full range of potential roles within an organisation. This initiative aims to raise their awareness by providing an overview of the range of jobs that exist, ensuring they are better prepared when they enter the workplace because they will have more realistic expectations, understand what skills are required and be able to make more informed decisions about their study and career choices. For employers, this means higher quality applicants, reduction in recruitment costs and improved retention.

Mock Interviews: In order to make our mock interview sessions as meaningful as possible, we also use external business people to hold the interviews with the young people. The aim is for students to understand how to prepare for an interview and build their interview skills. We also ask that students are allowed time at the end of the interview to ask any questions they may have about you, your job, careers in your industry etc.

Work Experience Placements: We are always seeking businesses who could support our annual Year 11 and Year 12 work experience placement weeks in July. This allows students to get a real understanding of what it’s like work in a business environment, help them decide if the industry is for them and really steer them in a positive direction. We find a lot of students go on to apply for apprenticeship vacancies with the companies they have worked with.

I was skeptical of the impact I could make in such a short space of time but was amazed when I seem to be teaching them new things after just two sessions. The experience has been extremely enjoyable and fulfilling. It feels great to be able to make a difference to bright young minds of the future!
Yan Li, Rotating Plant Engineer at RWE Generation UK and Year 9 Mentor

We have all been so impressed with Lewis’s approach to the week, the challenge of working in a small and very busy team and his general attitude I wanted to just highlight how much of a pleasure it has been to host him this week.
Daniel, Operations Director at Capita and Year 12 Work Experience Host

It was an absolute pleasure to have Ellie this week. She's been enthusiastic, brilliant with the members and keen to learn. She's impressed myself and the senior management of the hotel that much this week we were slightly gutted that she’s not yet 18 as we would have been offering her a position as a leisure attendant here.
Charlotte, Health Club Manager at Spirit Health Club and Year 12 Work Experience Host

Mentoring at Swindon Academy through CSW’s programme has been a fantastic experience. Working with a group of 3 year 9 students on a monthly basis in both 1-2-1 and group sessions has enabled us to explore both personal ambitions and life skills such as team working and communication. Beginning with individual personal reflection, activities were tailored to the areas where students were less confident. We’ve all had the opportunity to develop through these sessions.
Andrew Allan, Power Systems Engineer and Year 9 Mentor

You can contact our Careers Coordinator, Jessica Cook, any time via email (Jessica.cook@swindon-academy.org) or phone (01793 426926).