Colun: Better Learners Better Workers scheme

As Sheffield gradually reopens, with adults returning to work and children to school, The Cutlers;Company’s Better Learners Better Workers scheme is looking forward to the new academic year and new students joining the programme.
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The scheme has evolved over time to become an integral part of many schools’ curricula.

Originally launched in 2012 as the Cutlers’ Company Curriculum, it began with just three schools and was focused on engineering, with mentors from the Freemen of the Cutlers’ Company guiding the students through work experience, team building exercises and skills development programmes. The aim was to provide school leavers with an additional skills-set based on the needs of businesses and the world of work.

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Since then, we have handed over the running of this employer-lead project to the efficient management of Sarah Ward of Ambition Unlimited CIC. It is now jointly backed by Sheffield Council and has been broadened to include other industries.

 BLBW winners from Penistone Grammar, King Edward V11, Springs Academy and Park Academy BLBW winners from Penistone Grammar, King Edward V11, Springs Academy and Park Academy
BLBW winners from Penistone Grammar, King Edward V11, Springs Academy and Park Academy

As of this year we have 12 schools and more than 200 students signed up. Typically, a dozen students, known as ambassadors, are selected from Years 9 and 10, aged 13-15, who gain experience in one of four sectors – engineering, manufacturing, healthcare and construction.

However, from this year, after feedback from the schools, the selected Year 9 students will be signed up to a multi-sector programme comprising three aspects in all three sectors, thus giving them a broader experience and a wider variety of choices.

In addition, the programme has been reduced from three years to one, making it more manageable for the schools involved.

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The programme comprises three team-building days with other participating schools, such as a day with the Army; three employer encounters, encompassing interviews, assemblies and diversity discussions for the whole year group; and three industry visits, for example at a construction site, an engineering company or a department of one of the city’s hospitals.

BLBW Ambassadors from Stocksbridge High School at GUTS, the interactive engineering event held annually at MagnaBLBW Ambassadors from Stocksbridge High School at GUTS, the interactive engineering event held annually at Magna
BLBW Ambassadors from Stocksbridge High School at GUTS, the interactive engineering event held annually at Magna

One of the most recent visits was to the Northern General Hospital which included both the laundry and portering departments. On the construction site visits, the students will meet everyone from the architect to the electrician’s apprentice.

The theme throughout is to gain work experience and a greater understanding of the variety of jobs available to the school leaver.

Throughout the year, 15 skills are key to the success of every student.

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These include confidence, resilience, determination, organisation and teamwork.

Installation of Nicholas Williams as the new Master Cutler. Picture Scott MerryleesInstallation of Nicholas Williams as the new Master Cutler. Picture Scott Merrylees
Installation of Nicholas Williams as the new Master Cutler. Picture Scott Merrylees

Students are not selected on the basis of academic excellence, but rather on enthusiasm and commitment.

Every participant completes a skills passport as they move through the programme, recording what they have learnt.

Up to the end of March 2020, we were on course for a record-breaking year.

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At the February graduation ceremony at Cutlers’ Hall, headteachers from schools not yet participating were so impressed by what they heard and saw that they agreed to sign up for next year, while schools already part of the programme also asked if they could put forward more students than the 12 already involved.

With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the programme had to be put on hold.

Quite rightly, the priority for schools has been planning for the safe return of their students.

However, schools recognise the practical importance of BLBW and the tangible benefits it brings to participants as they progress towards work.

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So, from the BLBW perspective it is not quite business as usual, but we are working hard with schools and the local authority to make it as close to that as we can.

We will be offering the programme again across the same industry sectors, but are looking at alternative ways of delivering it, including Zoom or Microsoft Teams mentoring, online interviews and web-based tours.