Cranford Review 2021

# CAREERS
Careers Education
through Lockdown
During
a time of extreme uncertainty in
the labour market, the Cranford
students’ hunger and enthusiasm for opportunities has been
astonishing. Careers information, guidance and support has
transformed to meet the needs of our students. Rather than
delivering blanket guidance, we have recognised the need
to deliver individually tailored guidance and support. From
1-2-1 phone calls, virtual assemblies and meetings with
students I know how ambitious our students are to apply for
so many diverse opportunities. There has been an increased
interest in recent years in technical and vocational education.
There is a massive need to prepare our young students to
meet the current and future needs of the labour market. As
employability skills have developed, a significant number
of our Year 11 and Year 13 students have managed to secure
apprenticeships. Having secured these places before results
day proves that our students are confident in starting their
journey into the world of work. Cranford, together with
other local schools was involved in the first virtual careers
fair. This was organised by the careers professionals in the
borough and designed to meet the needs of our young people.
It was great to see Cranford alumni taking part noting the
important contribution that former students make. This is
evident in the contribution they made towards the fair. These
included Karishma Lall, Devyani Geentilal and Amrita Tarall
who all held webinars at the virtual fair to give our students
their top tips and the ‘insider view’ from the world of work.
The number of virtual opportunities companies are offering
has catapulted. There are a vast number of organisations who
are offering initiatives and experience to young people through
their corporate responsibility schemes. It has been beneficial
to engage with these companies and discover all the amazing
things on offer. It was particularly exciting embarking on our
T Level journey, especially with the industry placements.
Having spoken to a magnitude of companies, I have been
awe struck by the number of organisations that want to offer
these young people some work experience. Our current T
Level industry placement partners have demonstrated their
amazing values and commitment to students. I have been
stunned by Ajar Technology, Berkeley Pre-School and
St Mary’s University from the beginning of this journey.
This portfolio of partners is growing quickly. We are in
exciting discussions with a few international companies at
the moment. It has been great to be bold, passionate and
enthusiastic in grasping any opportunity to develop, learn
and grow. With so many positive outcomes from this year,
next year’s careers information, guidance and support will be
even more dynamic in meeting the needs of students.
30
Mahavir Ladva
(Exams Officer and Careers Co-ordinator)