Warwickshire News Mine

Firms that work with Warwickshire County Council’s Education Business Partnership (EBP) were thanked for their efforts in working with pupils.

Companies large and small that give their time to carry out mock interviews and set business challenges for secondary school pupils picked up their awards at the first annual Quality Awards Conference.

Peter Jackson of EBP said: “This scheme is a huge help to students who are in Year 11 and considering their future options. Having people from the world of work come into their school gives them a practical insight into the experiences and challenges they are likely to encounter in later life.

“These awards have been held to thank and congratulate the companies that have given their time. Many of these businesses have set stimulating challenges for the students and have gained from their input. The contribution they make to over 6,000 students around the country each year is invaluable, and we are pleased that firms in central Warwickshire are taking part in this scheme.”

Awards include:

Bacharach Europe Ltd based in Leamington Spa won the award in the Central Area for ‘Best Practice by a Large Company working with the EBP’ for a range of contributions to the work of the Warwickshire EBP with schools including assembly talks, contributing to a work experience review, an enterprise challenge, a headteacher placement and many practice interviews. Managing Director, Bruce Draper was accompanied by Tim Schofield and Hanah Delany as he collected the award.

Another major contributor to the work of the EBP, HSBC Investment Services also from, won a similar award because staff from their office in Leamington Spa support the Warwickshire EBP with a package of practice interviews and support for Enterprise Days.  Ian Lyons and Mandy Aldridge collected the award on behalf of HSBC Investment Services.

Warwick Racing Football Club were presented with the ‘Director’s Award for Social Enterprise. In addition to the football, the club runs or promotes a wide variety of community initiatives. There is a boxing club and fitness centre for 50 young people, there are youth club activities for up to 80 young people five nights a week, and Army Cadet Corps with 30 members, summer holiday club events, and inter-generation project bringing together the elderly and young volunteers. There is also a major community transport scheme, adult learning classes in literacy, numeracy and advanced flower arranging, an Age Concern Club for 50 people, two Probus clubs for 60 retired business people and a British Legion Branch.

Bal Choda representing Aston Martin Lagonda from Gaydon, won the ‘Best Practice Award for Company support for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths’. Bal Choda is a Science and Engineering Ambassador and this award is for all his efforts and visits to schools locally and further afield with support from Aston Martin and a DB9.

Two Rotary Clubs won awards – Southam 2000 Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Henley in Arden.  Both are relatively small with just over 20 members but they enthusiastically support the work of the EBP.  Jim Sleight and Alan Mudd represented Southam 2000 Rotary Club and Alec Halliwell, Brian Mitchell, Keith Ford and David Brain collected the award for the Rotary Club of Henley in Arden.

Any companies that would like to get involved in the scheme can call Peter Jackson on 024 7685 7845.

Link to WCC