Politics1 min read

How to shake hands and make eye contact - the lessons preparing pupils for the world of work

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The initiative comes as nearly one million Britons aged 16 to 24 are currently classified as Neet, prompting political leaders to label the trend an economic catastrophe. Institutions like Sandbach High School have integrated biweekly employability courses as early as Year 7, covering mock interviews, workplace rights, and foundational CV preparation. Since overhauling its career curriculum, the institution reports that every single student has successfully progressed into employment, training, or further education by age 18.

Key points

  • Early and consistent careers education can eliminate the risk of teenagers leaving second…: Early and consistent careers education can eliminate the risk of teenagers leaving secondary school without future placements.
  • External partnerships and upcoming vocational GCSE options are designed to better connect…: External partnerships and upcoming vocational GCSE options are designed to better connect disadvantaged pupils directly with employers.
  • Experts stress that school-based readiness programs must be supported by broader national…: Experts stress that school-based readiness programs must be supported by broader national measures to resolve the youth unemployment crisis.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Published

There is a sudden buzz of conversation in a Year 10 class as teenagers split into pairs, sit down opposite each other and start conducting mock job interviews.

It is not for a forthcoming exam. These 14- and 15-year-olds at Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College are working on skills that should help them when they leave school and try to enter the workforce.

Today, they are learning the art of a successful job interview. Around the room, pupils are practising firm handshakes and making good eye contact.

They are rehearsing how to answer questions that you might expect to be asked in a job interview, such as "When was the last time you worked in a team?" and "Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work".

None of them has even reached working age yet, but in forthcoming lessons they'll also be learning about how to write a CV and what their rights at work are. It is all part of dedicated career lessons that they get every fortnight alongside their usual classes.

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