Empowering Students: Local Bosses Face Off in Unique Careers Event

Students Take Charge in Career Conversations

This week, Paul Ursell, a Post 16 teacher at Laleham Gap, took 15 students to Foreland Fields in Ramsgate for a unique opportunity to interview 15 local bosses. This event was part of their ‘Preparing for Adulthood’ and ‘Employability’ curriculums.

Mr. Ursell remarked, “It was great. Normally, in job interviews, it’s the employers asking the questions, but here it was reversed. Students had to think about what they wanted to ask regarding careers and employment, which enhanced their confidence and prepared them for the future.”
The event aimed to develop students’ interview and presentation skills, while also raising their expectations and understanding of the business world.

The Kent and Medway Careers Hub Skills 360 event was coordinated by David Fretton, a careers consultant for Kent & Medway Careers Hub, and involved students from Laleham, Liberty Skills, Stone Bay, and Foreland Fields schools.

Unique Interview Format

David explained, “Skills 360 is a reverse interview event where young people with SEND ask employers the questions. A total of 50 young people from various schools met with 15 employers from diverse sectors. This event is a national initiative from the Careers & Enterprise Company, but the first of its kind in Thanet.”
He praised the Laleham Gap learners for their engagement and interest, noting how they could see the benefits of participating in this event.

Emily Hollis (MBE), Director of Hive, opened the event with an inspiring welcome speech that set a positive tone for the students. Local business leaders generously donated their time to participate.

Upon returning to Laleham Gap, Mr. Ursell and his students reflected on the valuable lessons they learned and began planning how to further develop these skills as they transition into their future careers.