Collyer's students put employability course into practice

In the ever-increasing competitive job market, students need to hone that edge to get ahead in the marketplace and Collyer’s has addressed this growing need by developing the employability programme, which successfully ran throughout last year.

Students applying for the course this year, were put through their paces by an advice and interview panel comprising students who successfully completed the employability course last year - Jack Manger, who this year is to become a star expert sales assistant for Mercedes; Dan Goodyer who is pursuing his application to West Sussex Police; and Ed Pirie who will be completing his A levels and contributing to the development of the employability course, before commencing training as a Primary School Teaching Assistant.

Lucy Hargreaves, employability co-ordinator, commented: “Big thanks to Dan, Ed and Jack for helping out on the advice panel.

“It has been so enjoyable watching the students really engage with the subject. It has also been encouraging to see how much they have been able to learn and then apply to job applications and interviews.”

Dan Goodyer said: “I had always wanted to follow a career path into the police and I didn’t think I needed anything else to supplement what I already knew, but I needed to consider honing my skills.

“With the employability programme I gained confidence and was able to put into practice the skills I already had, but I did discover that I still had a lot to learn and the course really opened my eyes to a more professional approach to my practice.

“Lucy helped me get a work placement with Worthing police, which really spurred me on to follow my dreams.

“I would definitely recommend this unique course. If it is something that you are considering then you will not be disappointed!”

Ed Pirie said: “This has been a great course and I’m looking forward to helping out this year.”