Chorley pupils battle it out for apprenticeships with Outward Bound

Published by Claire Tinston for IPB Communications in Housing and also in Communities

Intrepid youngsters from Southlands High School  took part in an Outward Bound course in Cumbria last week and learnt a raft of new skills to boost their future employment prospects.

Six Year 11 pupils from Southlands High School in Clover Street, Chorley, were selected by leading community regeneration specialist Bramall Construction to take part in the five day scheme at the Ullswater Centre in Penrith, Cumbria.

The youngsters were each presented with a certificate to mark their week-long achievements and hosted a presentation to showcase their favourite highlights.

The programme helped prepare the group for the world of work by improving their self-confidence and team building skills through a variety of activities including orienteering, camping, rock climbing, caoeing and abseiling.

Keepmoat, Bramall Construction’s parent company, invited schools across the country to take part in Outward Bound and the company intends to interview the best team players in the group for a possible apprenticeship scheme – a rare opportunity in the current economic climate. Several opportunities will be made available across the Keepmoat group for Outward Bound candidates.

Keepmoat’s apprenticeship opportunity comes as a new report published this year shows that unemployment figures have risen to 2.57 million marking a 17 year high, with the younger generation finding themselves worst hit.

Bramall Construction chose to invite Southlands High School to take part in the programme after building a state-of-the-art £2.7 million pound science block for Lancashire County Council.

The new science block includes six new state of the art science laboratories, an ICT suite and auditorium.

The project also inlcudes remodelling of the school’s main entrance and reception area and a vibrant modern refurbishment of the pupils’ dining hall.

Bramall Construction is delighted to be gearing up for the next phase of works at the school which is to construct a new art and music block. The project is due for completion in August 2012 and the contract value is worth £2.6million.

Neil Davies, Deputy Headteacher at Southlands High School, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students who have had an invaluable experience.

“During the week they have combined physical activity with opportunities for personal development outside the traditional classroom.

“Through their experiences over the week they have learnt about the importance of team work and have been given opportunities to develop leadership skills which will only serve them well in the future.

“As a result of this programme the students will be better prepared for the challenges that lay ahead of them in their GCSEs, college applications and beyond. I must take the opportunity to thank both Bramall Construction and Keepmoat for not only this opportunity they have given to our students, but also for the outstanding facilities they have provided us with at the school.”

Key facts:

• Keepmoat and its business units first became involved with Outward Bound in the 2005/2006 academic year.
• To date Keepmoat has invested in excess of £500,000 to Outward Bound.
• To date, its partnership with Outward Bound has enabled Keepmoat to work with over 800 young people over the last six years.
• Keepmoat has created 18 apprenticeships across the group through Outward Bound since the scheme began.