Students from Ipsley CE Academy in Redditch are celebrating after completing the Oakland Programme, a structured course designed to provide young people with valuable workplace experience.
The programme is run by children’s charity the Oakland Foundation, in partnership with Oakland International. Over a period of four-weeks, Oakland Foundation trustees worked with the students to deliver several sessions, offering students the chance to understand where products come from, the safety awareness and understanding regarding vehicles and lorries, as well visiting departments across our Redditch facility, all intended to support students’ understanding and identify the skills needed by a range of job roles.
Oakland Foundation Trustee Mark Williams remarked: “The Oakland Programme is designed with adaptability in mind to effectively meet the needs of the pupils participating, incorporating various organised sessions that focus on a variety of subjects with the goal of stimulating and elevating their ambitions.
“It’s been wonderful to have the students from Ipsley School participate in the Oakland Programme, and we are thankful for the support, kindness, and hospitality extended by Oakland International and their employees. Handing out their graduation certificates and witnessing their joy was delightful.”
Thought provoking, this young people’s programme offers the chance for young people to experience diverse workplace environments and to have the feeling of ‘being at work’ and the understanding of what this involves.
Ipsley’s Senior Deputy Safeguarding Lead/Director of Inclusion Dana Curtis commented: “Our pupils loved visiting Oakland as the experience of being in a workplace and talking to staff gave them a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of working life. There is always a warm welcome and staff happily gave up their time to chat about their roles.
“Going inside the huge freezer and meeting Lucky the pig were great experiences but talking through time keeping, working hours and qualifications allowed our pupils to have a real insight into their future. This has been a wonderful experience for our pupils.”
The Oakland Foundation works with children and young people supporting projects focusing on Health and Nutrition, Education and Sport.