During the month of December, a number of Runnymede-based businesses generously opened their doors and gave their time to groups of secondary school students as part of Runnymede Open Doors programme.
The Open Doors programme allows students to engage with local employers at their workplaces, offering insights into the types of roles available and the different entry paths into the business or industry sector. Open Doors visits provide young people with a valuable chance to explore potential career paths in different industries, learn about the skills employers are looking for, and enhance their own employability skills.
Runnymede Borough Council, Business Runnymede and Surrey Careers Hub worked in partnership to design and deliver the Runnymede Open Doors programme in 2024-2025, supported by the governmentโs UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The program kicked off in earnest in November with approximately 180 young people from six secondary schools taking part in 15 experiences at 7 business locations across Runnymede. More experiences are planned over January and February 2025.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth said: โWe are delighted to be able to run Open Doors in Runnymede to enable young people to gain first-hand experience of differing workplaces and have genuine conversations with local employers.
โProgrammes of this type, investing in the workforce of tomorrow, are vital in ensuring the long-term success of our regional economy, and we appreciate the time and energy the participating businesses have invested into the success of the scheme.โ
A total of 10 Runnymede businesses have signed up for the scheme, offering to give their time and support to the programme by hosting students at their premises. Each business devised their own unique itinerary to help the students experience a little of what it would be like to work there and hear more about the career pathways available. At Avery Healthcare the students met several of the homeโs residents, toured the premises and watched an exciting match of Balloon Tennis. They also had the opportunity to ask staff and residents for their own views.
Groups of students who visited Kick-X were first able to let off a bit of steam and understand the customer experience by trying out the various hybrid football facilities at the venue. They then took part in an interactive workshop where they brainstormed solutions to real-life challenges and opportunities faced by the business โ offering some unique perspectives the business may otherwise not have heard.
The experience was a great success, as this teacher remarked, โWe all absolutely enjoyed todayโs visit to Kick X. Max has been fantastic. The session was very well planned, delivered. Max was enthusiastic, well-spoken and captured the studentโs attention. He talked about the business, jobs, skills and values in a very exciting way and the students have got a lot from the session. They not only enjoyed the practical part but also the theory where they were taking part in some business ideas, offering advice and creativity. All our learning objectives were met thanks to Max. We are very grateful for this valuable opportunity.โ
The young people visiting Thorpe Park were tested on their knowledge of the theme parkโs history and heard the career stories of several key members of staff before undertaking an eye-opening behind-the-scenes tour of the park.
Almost every student who completed an evaluation form responded that the visit had helped them to understand more about the jobs and careers available with that employer, and 100% said theyโd like to attend more employer visits in the future.
The program will run until the end of March 2025 with planning underway for Open Day experiences for college students in the borough still to take place.
Participating schools and businesses:
Businesses
- Thorpe Park
- Avery Healthcare
- Kick-X Football Arena
- Geek Retreat
- Stanhope-Seta
- Snap Fitness
- Achieve Lifestyle
- Egham Orbit
- Chop & Change Hair Salon
- Page Personnel
Schools
- Chertsey High School
- Phillip Southcote School
- Magna Carta School
- Walton-Leigh School
- Jubilee High School
- Fullbrook School
Play your part
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