PERFORMING ARTS students at S.G.S have been awarded certificates after helping Aspire Academy Director Barry Jackson with a video programme called Your First Job. How to thrive in the business market.

The programme will provide life changing guidance for 15 to 21 year-olds as well as providing the independent careers advice required to meet government legislation.

Sixth-formers were trusted with making short videos for the programme which provided top tips for succeeding after school.

The students appeared to really enjoy the experience and learned a lot.

Tom Andrews said: “It’s really opened my eyes to what else is out there

"I didn’t know much about apprenticeships before coming on the programme and it made me realise there are plenty of options other than uni.”

Interviewing corporate executives from companies including Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, Jaguar and Barclays Bank as well as mock interviews with over 3,000 students has helped Barry put the programme together.

However, realising that it would be more relatable if the presenters were teens, he set about recruiting S.G.S Performing Arts students to work with him.

Barry said:  “I may have done the research, but an old git like me was never going to be the ideal presenter.

“It’s also a great way to offer young people work experience producing a genuine commercial programme.     

“It is a joy to partner with colleges like S.G.S. where preparation for the world of work goes beyond mere exam results.”

The programme is also attracting interest from the business community.

Adam Rooke from Professional Apprenticeships, Bristol said:

“We partnered with this programme because we find many young people leave school relatively ill-informed of the progression opportunities, and how best to take their first steps on the career ladder. This programme goes a long way to address this need and, having been created by young people, engages them on the right level”.

Barry’s programme, which features a book of the same title, is on schedule for launch by Easter.

To contact Barry email: barry@aspire-academy.net or call: 07795-288490