The Education and Employers charity is excited to announce the launch of Inspiring the Future Jersey.
Thanks to a partnership between the charity Every Child Our Future, Skills Jersey (part of the Government of Jersey) and ourselves, schools and volunteers in Jersey can now connect easily, quickly and freely via the online match-making service. Primary and secondary schools across the Island can now search a database of over 10,000 volunteers from the world of work and invite them to talk with their young people.
It means that young people will all get the opportunity to meet a wide range of people who work and live on the island and hear about the opportunities that exist locally. They will also be able to connect virtually with a diverse range of people from across the UK. Our research has shown that such encounters help to motivate and inspire students, improve their attainment and broaden their horizons as well as challenge the stereotypes that young people can hold about the jobs people do based on their gender, ethnicity and social background.
Cris Lakeman, CEO of Every Child Our Future said: “Every Child our Future is delighted to be bringing this programme to the Island. Our charity aims to enable children to achieve their full potential and Inspire the Future Jersey will help children realise that anything is possible for their futures.”
Rob Sainsbury, Interim Director of General of Children, Young People, Education and Skills (the equivalent of the Department for Education in England) said: “Inspiring the Future is a great platform that allows schools to seek out professionals in the Island, with the aim to inspire and motivate young people by showing how their education and the subjects they learn at school relate to the world of work.”
Official launch partner, Ports of Jersey, supported an initial pilot scheme which took place in Janvrin and Samares schools over the summer term.
Senior Teacher at Samares School, Kate Burton, said: “The Inspiring the Future session was a great way to enable children to think about different jobs and the skills that they require by linking it to their current learning. Children were involved in discussions and could interact with volunteers to have their questions answered. Volunteers brought props, videos and equipment which meant children were engaged and keen to learn more. As a teacher, the website made the process of organising the session very easy, and I’m looking forward to Samares School holding more Inspiring the Future sessions this year.”
Among those to have volunteered so far is Eddie Afonso from the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service who said “The children came up with good questions and I found it an enjoyable experience. I would definitely recommend it to others who are considering volunteering onto it”.
Islanders who are passionate about the industry they work in and would like to speak to students about their line of work, can find out more by emailing inspiringthefuture@gov.je or simply sign up to get started.