Enterprise event prepares students for the future

More than 150 secondary school pupils participated in a series of mock interviews this week as part of Foundation of Light's Premier League Enterprise programme. The youngsters, aged 12 to 13, were given the opportunity to meet with employers from various industries and receive feedback on how they can improve their skills to ensure future interviewing success. Representatives from Unipres, 3aaa Apprenticeships, Jacksons Law Firm and Foundation of Light came to the Stadium of Light having 15-minute sessions with students to help prepare them for their next steps in employment or education. Jas Singh, Education & Skills Lead at Foundation of Light, said: "The pupils have completed the 10-week Enterprise programme, learning all the valuable skills you would need to run or work in a business.  

We're putting that to the test where they're sitting mock job interviews, helping them understand the process, the skills they need and the basics such as shaking hands, making eye contact and talking clearly.

"Through the programme they have looked at team-work, developed their communications skills and creative thinking and been challenged to develop themselves further and understand the world of work and business." The Premier League Enterprise Challenge, which is run in partnership with Sport Relief, uses the backdrop of professional football clubs’ business models to deliver enterprise education to hundreds of thirteen to fifteen-year-olds in sessions run by Premier League and English Football League clubs. Foundation of Light’s Premier League Enterprise programme is delivered in partnership with the Caterpillar Foundation. Luke Lee, Talent Acquisition Team Leader at 3aaa, added: "We’re giving young people the opportunity and confidence to come and meet employers to showcase their skills. "It's great to get involved with the Enterprise programme, getting out into the local community and helping to upskill the youngsters so they can take what they have learned to the next stage of hopefully progressing into employment when they leave school. "We have had some very impressive interviewees today. They were obviously very nervous but once they got comfortable in the environment they were thriving." Thank you to Red House Academy, Thornhill Academy, Wellfied School, The Academy at Shotton Hall, Monkwearmouth Academy, Seaham High School and Biddick Academy for taking part in this week's Premier League Enterprise Mock Interview Event.