Dear OC,
 
We are delighted to announce that, for the second year, we will be running our ‘Work Inspiration’ programme for Year 11 (Fourth Form) pupils this June.  The purpose of this initiative is to provide pupils with an insight into the world of work and for them to experience the working environment at first-hand.  One of our primary intentions is for pupils to observe the transferable skills required within the work place, and to subsequently reflect on their own development of these skills to enhance their future employability prospects.
 
We are seeking help from the Old Campbellians in facilitating this programme.  We have encouraged pupils, where possible, to commence their experience of the work environment through shadowing/attending work with a family member, family friend or neighbour.  However, there are some pupils for whom this is not a possibility, especially some of those from the international boarding community.  If any of you are in a position to offer a placement to a Year 11 pupil for one or both of the days, we would be extremely grateful.
 
Since the main focus is the development of important transferable skills for the workplace we would welcome offers of placements from all employment sectors; it is not essential at this stage that pupils undertake a placement in an area of particular career interest.  We have, however, encouraged pupils to think about the sort of environment they would like to work in and we will endeavour to allocate placements to the most suitable candidates.  A Work Inspiration placement should offer pupils the opportunity for work shadowing and also, if possible, to acquire new skills and knowledge through some practical tasks. 
 
The opportunity to experience the working environment in this way will undoubtedly prove highly beneficial to our Year 11 students as they move towards making important post-16 decisions, and will give them the opportunity to demonstrate and further develop their ‘soft’ skills in adapting to an unfamiliar environment.  We very much appreciate any assistance and if you are able to offer a placement to one of our students, please contact one of us via the email below.
 
Thank you in anticipation of your support of this initiative.
  
Yours sincerely,
  
Mrs Sarah Coetzee                                            Mr Neil McGarry
Head of Careers                                                 Work-Related Learning Co-ordinator
scoetzee483@c2kni.net                                     nmcgarry586@c2kni.net

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