Gravesend students get career boost
Students at St. John’s Catholic School in Gravesend, Kent have been learning tips to prepare for their future careers.
The sixth form students who had a keen interest in electrical engineering and other roles within the energy industry took part in a mock interview and assessment coordinated by UK Power Networks that delivers electricity across the South East, East and London.
Employees from all parts of the business including field engineers, project managers, planners and delivery managers, gave pep talks and advice to the aspiring students.
Their day consisted of two halves with a mock interview where they were asked important questions about themselves and their studies.
Questions looked back on their school and life experience where they focused on time management, prioritising tasks, dealing with conflict and above all working safely.
The students – who had all previously expressed an interest in construction or leaned towards an operational role, were given the task of building a model from memory during a customer facing mock scenario.
Each student had 45 seconds to view the model separately and reported back to their team who then had to recreate the model in a 30-minute window by communicating and collaborating effectively – the team had to recreate the model in a 30-minute window where they had to work and communicate effectively.
The event is part of a wider initiative by UK Power Networks to give access to young people of all backgrounds into the world of electrical engineering and the wider industry.
The company is to take on over 100 apprentices in 2024 – which is the largest intake across the industry alongside
Natasha Paramasamy, STEM Outreach & Development Specialist, said: “We have hosted the event today to showcase what opportunities are out there, but also preparing those in education for the next steps. By hosting mock assessment centres and interviews, we are showcasing what will be expected as they transition into a professional career, and providing guidance for how to be the best they can be during that transition.
Nancy Cannon Ikurusi, Senior Schools and Programme Coordinator at Construction Youth Trust, said: “UK Power Networks has partnered with us at Construction Youth Trust (CYT), to offer our young people the opportunity of experiencing meaningful encounters with relatable employers in the industry. Through UK Power Networks-led sessions on mock interviews, mock assessment centres, live vacancies, and apprenticeship Q&As our young people have been able to develop the employability skills employers are seeking. Our students feel more prepared and confident when faced with what can be a rigorous apprenticeship recruitment focus. UK Power Networks has helped our young people remove any unintended barriers they may face in traditional recruitment methods. We are thankful to UK Power Networks for helping us provide our young people with a good understanding of construction careers, which is critical to social mobility and improving their prospects.”
Published: 25/03/2024
The sixth form students who had a keen interest in electrical engineering and other roles within the energy industry took part in a mock interview and assessment coordinated by UK Power Networks that delivers electricity across the South East, East and London.
Employees from all parts of the business including field engineers, project managers, planners and delivery managers, gave pep talks and advice to the aspiring students.
Their day consisted of two halves with a mock interview where they were asked important questions about themselves and their studies.
Questions looked back on their school and life experience where they focused on time management, prioritising tasks, dealing with conflict and above all working safely.
The students – who had all previously expressed an interest in construction or leaned towards an operational role, were given the task of building a model from memory during a customer facing mock scenario.
Each student had 45 seconds to view the model separately and reported back to their team who then had to recreate the model in a 30-minute window by communicating and collaborating effectively – the team had to recreate the model in a 30-minute window where they had to work and communicate effectively.
The event is part of a wider initiative by UK Power Networks to give access to young people of all backgrounds into the world of electrical engineering and the wider industry.
The company is to take on over 100 apprentices in 2024 – which is the largest intake across the industry alongside
Natasha Paramasamy, STEM Outreach & Development Specialist, said: “We have hosted the event today to showcase what opportunities are out there, but also preparing those in education for the next steps. By hosting mock assessment centres and interviews, we are showcasing what will be expected as they transition into a professional career, and providing guidance for how to be the best they can be during that transition.
Nancy Cannon Ikurusi, Senior Schools and Programme Coordinator at Construction Youth Trust, said: “UK Power Networks has partnered with us at Construction Youth Trust (CYT), to offer our young people the opportunity of experiencing meaningful encounters with relatable employers in the industry. Through UK Power Networks-led sessions on mock interviews, mock assessment centres, live vacancies, and apprenticeship Q&As our young people have been able to develop the employability skills employers are seeking. Our students feel more prepared and confident when faced with what can be a rigorous apprenticeship recruitment focus. UK Power Networks has helped our young people remove any unintended barriers they may face in traditional recruitment methods. We are thankful to UK Power Networks for helping us provide our young people with a good understanding of construction careers, which is critical to social mobility and improving their prospects.”
Published: 25/03/2024