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Young people learn tricks of the trade from local businesses
28 Jun 2010
Bishop David Brown School in Woking and Rosedale College in Hayes will be showcasing their communication skills alongside volunteers from local businesses at the Lost Theatre in London next Monday (5 July) to celebrate their involvement in the first year of the National Literacy Trust’s brand new speaking and listening project - Words for Work.
Words for Work aims to unlock young people’s communications skills by connecting Year 9 pupils (13 -14 year olds) and volunteers from the local community. Local business volunteers from Woking Borough Council, McLaren Automotive Group and Mansell Construction have been working alongside students from Bishop David Brown and volunteers from GSK Pharmaceuticals and Mears have been working alongside students from Rosedale College since April this year to help prepare them for the workforce. Words for Work gives young people the opportunity to learn more about the workplace by talking to the volunteers about their own experiences at work. It also helps them to develop their communication skills in a real setting in their team.
The National Literacy Trust was motivated to run the project after research showed that 41% of UK employers are worried about the literacy skills of their new recruits*.
Sally Melvin, Words for Work Manager at the National Literacy Trust says:
“Words for Work came about in response to concerns from employers about the level of speaking and listening skills and confidence of staff entering the workplace. Young people who enter the workforce must be good communicators. We wanted to give them the opportunity to learn skills and use them in a real life setting, working alongside volunteers from local businesses.
“I’m delighted to announce that the Words for Work pilot has been a huge success. For me, the best thing is watching the young people becoming more confident and putting the communication skills they are learning into practice.”
James Guy, Global Product Director from GSK Pharmaceuticals and Words for Work business volunteer who worked with students from Rosedale College, says:
"I got involved in Words for Work because I wanted to get a better understanding of the local community and the challenges these students face. They are as smart as any child but because of what they face in terms of EAL (English as an Additional Language), peer pressure and social aspects they may not feel they have the same opportunity as others. It’s great to see them realise the importance of getting a good job and through taking part in Words for Work they can see that communication could impact on their future.”
Stuart Shephard, Headteacher at Bishop David Brown School says:
“The Words for Work project has greatly enhanced the curriculum provision in Year 9. All the students have enjoyed working with the business volunteers. We have seen motivated, enthused and happy students whose communication skills have significantly improved. It has been excellent for the school to engage with the business volunteers from companies that are not always open to engagement with their local school.”
The National Literacy Trust hopes that the Words for Work project will impact on school practice and persuade policy makers that giving young people meaningful contact with people from business can impact on their speaking and listening skills. Effective speaking and listening skills are critical for employability and by helping young people to be confident communicators, the whole community benefits.
Ends
*Dugdale George and Jama Deeqa (2010) Literacy: State of the Nation. London: National Literacy Trust, p 5.
Case studies of students and business volunteers are available. To arrange an interview with Words for Work Manager Sally Melvin or National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas, please contact Anna Lindsay Public Relations Officer on 0207 820 6256 or Anna.Lindsay@literacytrust.org.uk
If you are a member of the press and would like to attend the Words for Work pilot celebration event in London where students and business volunteers will showcase their work, please contact Anna to RSVP or for further details. Details of the event are:
Where:
Lost Theatre Company
208 Wandsworth Road
London
SW8 2JU
When:
Monday 5 July 2010
Time:
11.30am to 1:00pm
1. About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through literacy. We believe that society will only be fair when everyone has the literacy skills they need to communicate, to fulfil their potential and to contribute more to society. We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of support.
To help us transform lives through literacy, you can make a donation. To find out how visit http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/About/donate.html
National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486. Registered in England and Wales. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Tel: 020 7587 1842.
2. About Words for Work
Two schools were involved in the pilot project this year, Rosedale College in Hayes and Bishop David Brown School in Woking. In total, 50 young people and 27 volunteers from five local businesses took part in the Words for Work pilot. The workshops run until 22 June. At an event on 5 July participants will come together to celebrate their involvement and showcase their work.
During the second pilot year in 2011, Words for Work will roll out to 10 to15 schools nationally to test its feasibility. Schools that sign up will be given a resource pack and a link to local businesses from which to recruit volunteers. The National Literacy Trust will provide ongoing support to schools, monitor delivery and evaluation and provide training for business volunteers.
3. About Literacy: State of the Nation
Literacy State of the Nation provides a coherent picture of literacy in the UK today. The statistics included in Literacy: State of the Nation are taken from a wide range of reliable sources, including National Literacy Trust and Department for Education (DfE) research. The report will be updated with new figures on a biannual basis.
