This morning I spent time at UTC Reading - a local hidden gem of a college that allows students to do GCSEs and choose between A Levels, BTECs and much more - as well as preparing them for work by studying a 9-5 day and engaging with industry partners on a weekly basis. Myself and the Business Relations Partner at this fantastic college set up a Mentorship Programme in partnership with local tech businesses to coach students for their Duke of York Award. The Duke of York has three levels and awards students at GCSE and A Level in technical qualifications. It recognises the completion of work experience and the development of wider skills in the workplace such as communication, problem solving and leadership. With the shift that we are seeing of employers looking for more than academic qualifications when hiring the next generation into the workforce, this qualification is a good thing to look out for on a CV. Students must complete an interview in order to achieve the qualification, not dissimilar to a job interview. 

This college represents a group of young people that have chosen to leave the secondary school that they started at age 11 and join a new college with a different way of learning. What struck me is that when I asked the students that I met this morning why they chose to come here and the benefits, they told me that they embraced the longer day because they were aware it prepared them for work and they told me that the teachers help them to motivate themselves and take responsibility for their education. This echoes exactly what the workplace seeks in a successful candidate. 

The mentors will meet the students two more times throughout the year in order to help prepare them for the Award. This is an educational institution doing great things to prepare Generation Z for the workforce. 

Through the Sage Foundation, Sage employees are able to volunteer 5 days a year.