Students from St John Bosco College, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, have completed Wates’ Beacon Programme – a new 11-week work experience scheme
The Beacon Programme is a first of its kind work experience programme by Wates – the scheme gives Year 12 students the opportunity to explore the careers that they are interested in. The project aims to build confidence, motivation and professionalism.
Celebrations have taken place alongside teachers and local councillors Jonathan Cook (Cabinet Member for Housing) and Rhodri Morgan (Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Skills and Employment) as 39 students from St John Bosco college completed the programme.
Challenging preconceptions
The Beacon Programme is ambitious in its offerings. Students are able to pick between 11 different career routes, whereas most work experience scheme are pretty limited in what they can offer. In this scheme, students have a much greater selection and get to learn about all kinds of business functions.
The 16-17 year-old students must participate in one five-hour session per week. The hybrid model combines virtual sessions and in-person activities which aims to give a proper insight into working life.
Ultimately, the Beacon Programme wants to challenge preconceptions that the students may have about jobs in construction. It also wants to help bridge the gap between education and work by providing some critical experience. It hopes that these transferable skills will set the students up for future success.
Opening doors
One student commented that the Beacon Programme “has allowed me to open my mind to new opportunities”, with another saying “I quickly picked up how I could incorporate what I have learnt to help me when applying for apprenticeships in the future.”
Paul Dunne, headteacher at St John Bosco College, Wandsworth, said:
“I am delighted that we’ve been able to provide this unique opportunity for our students through our partnerships with Wates. The practical hands-on experience that students are gaining is invaluable and is something that few students of their age get the chance to experience. Working together with Wates we are helping to equip the young men and women of today with the skills that they will need for the future.”
Danielle Buckley, community investment manager at Wates Residential and one of the creators of the pilot programme, added:
“It has been brilliant to work with the students at St John Bosco College over the last 11 weeks, watching their skills and confidence develop. At Wates, we are committed to taking a local approach to projects, investing in training, education and skills, so that we can bring about real change and deliver lasting legacies in the communities where we operate. This programme is a perfect example of that ambition in action, and we cannot wait to meet the next cohort.”
Councillor Rhodri Morgan, cabinet member for economic development, skills and employment at Wandsworth Council, said:
“This is an incredibly interesting and unique scheme and we are proud that Wates have piloted this with one of our local schools. It is important that students are given engaging work experience opportunities but the value of this programme lies in the range of areas that it covers, allowing the students to see the diverse functions of a business.”
Social value
Another cohort of students will begin the Beacon Programme on 21 February which will run until 19 May. Following this second scheme, there will be a graduation ceremony for all 81 students that have taken part. Any students who have excelled throughout the programme will be rewarded with further mentoring and support beyond the 11-week course.
The Beacon Programme is part of a wider social value programme being delivered by Wates in the Borough, as it works with the Council on its Housing For All programme which commits to 1,000 new homes by 2027. It recently celebrated the delivery of 71 new homes at Sphere Walk on Shuttleworth Road, Battersea – a project through which it has delivered over £1.8 million in social value, including more than £750,000 investment into local skills and employment.
