Link-up with schools is a real education!

Apr 21 2009 by Henryk Zientek, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A HUDDERSFIELD woman is among more than 60 Yorkshire bosses helping high school students get “business ready” for the workplace.

Michelle Edgar-Parsons, of Longwood-based design and branding consultancy The Individual Agency, is taking part in a pilot scheme with the regional Young People’s Enterprise Forum to offer mentoring, mock interviews, work experience and help with enterprise projects.

The scheme, funded by the Edge Foundation, helps employers work in practical ways with schools and colleges to hone the skills of tomorrow’s workers.

Thousands of firms already work with schools – but YPEF said many more employers would do so if there was a easier way to match what a business can offer with what a local school and its students need.

Business and schools can find out more about working together and register by going to www.businessinschools.co.uk

The Individual Agency has run workshops, guest lectures and mentoring schemes at several schools across Yorkshire – including Cottingham, Hessle, Hull and Wakefield – since registering at the Business in Schools website.

Michelle said work-related learning could inspire young people to pursue a path they might not have otherwise considered.