Volunteer

Business Speed Networking

This session is designed to help inspire students about the range of career options and pathways open to them after finishing school. Students are often not aware of the range of options and can get limited information from sources close to them for example parents or teachers. By taking part in the Business Speed Networking sessions we hope to raise their aspirations and show them the broad range of career opportunities locally and nationally.

Students ask Business Volunteers questions about their job, company and industry. The students rotate around the room to a different employer every 15 minutes. We encourage volunteers to bring small props or banners to help the students learn about their business.

Employer Interviews

Students will have a 10-minute interview with a Business Volunteer. EBP South will provide volunteers with a list of questions at the beginning of the event about competencies, interests etc. Volunteers are also welcome to prepare their own questions if they would like to. At the end the volunteers provide the students with feedback on their communication skills, body language, CV etc.

Interview Ready Session

This session is designed to help students gain an understanding of how to prepare for an interview. It is an opportunity to practice their employability skills, identify suitable interview behaviours and participate in team tasks. An EBP Staff member will deliver the session with Business Volunteers supporting the activities and providing their own experiences.

Guess My Job

Primary school children guess volunteers’ job roles by asking ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions. Volunteers hold up ‘yes’ and ‘no’ cards and can use props to help them guess their job.

Who Dunit?

A fun challenge that will give students the chance to test and show some of the skills and qualities they’ve learnt during Year 7. For example communication, team work, resilience or problem solving. Testing these skills and qualities will help prepare them for the rest of their school years and working life.

“Today has provided me with the opportunity to engage with the next generation and raise awareness of the diversity of scientific professions in the NHS.”

Samantha Wright, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

“At Sovereign we are a great believer in introducing knowledge at an early age for a strong foundation to build on and what better way to use the Business Speed Networking.”

Chris Bairstow – Electrical Manager, Sovereign Housing Association

“The Employer Interview Scheme with EBP allows students to gain a valuable life lesson and confidence in the comfort of their own school. As an employer it has been really insightful to see the impact we have on the students and to watch them gain confidence in the short time we spend with them.”

Marley Smith – Deputy Service Manager, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

“All I can say is I want to do more of this. It was a delightful experience all round, everyone was so warm and welcoming and the young people were so polite and attentive. It was also really interesting to see the world of college/work through their eyes and get a glimpse of how coaching could assist them.”

Mandy Cowley, Goliminal

“We’ve both really enjoyed volunteering our time. It’s been very rewarding offering the students key advice for their future career journeys and we hope that they take away lifelong skills from the day that they can use in the future.”

George and Hermione, Lenovo

“It was great to meet all of the students and a real pleasure getting the young people to enthusiastically talk about themselves.”

Cheryl Pitt, 1710 Naval Air Squadron