Practical and fun

Employers expect young people to have acquired a broad range of skills.

These are called KEY SKILLS and include:

• Communication
• Working with others
• Problem Solving
• Application of number
• Information Technology

We have developed a range of activities/workshops, which can help your young people develop these skills.

Popular activities include

LEGO

This exercise simulates a car assembly line. Students are asked to assemble a LEGO car individually and completion times are noted. The students then do the same exercise in pairs making 2 cars, groups of 4 making 4 cars, groups of 6 and so on. The students then see how the assembly time per car is drastically reduced as they share the workload and communicate with each other.

COBBLERS

Students work in groups of 4 to design a shoe/sandal and then make the footwear from limited resources. One member of the group is required to model the shoe. The group must complete an advertising poster and present the finished products to the other students. This exercise helps develop communication, working with others and problem solving. Great fun!

CLOWNING AROUND

Students work in groups of 4 to form a company that produces mobiles for children. They complete a 'Job List' which indicates who will be responsible for various tasks. The students are given a budget of £3.00 to 'purchase' the materials necessary to make the mobiles and an Accounts Sheet is completed. The finished mobiles are presented to the other groups with an advertising poster. This exercise helps to develop Communication, Teamwork and Application of number.

All of the above exercises can be 'tailored' to meet the requirements of the students. Time restrictions can be extended and activities can be completed in stages to ensure thorough understanding.

Benefits to schools

• Helps develop Key Skills
• Motivates and builds students' confidence
• Educational but fun business related activities

Just read what OFSTED has to say

"Students who have previously experienced difficulties forming relationships with their peers work well together, for e.g. on projects such as 'Cobblers Day'"

Of course, alongside these projects we offer Special Schools our portfolio of other education business link activities including Employability Interviews, Work-Experience and Skills 4 Employment to name but a few.

For more information please call Debbie Kenrick on 0151 728 9454 or email us at info@liverpoolcompact.org.uk