Talented young employees of the future from Redbridge College graduate from employer-backed Career Academy programme

Eleven students graduated from the Business Career Academy at Redbridge College last month – a two-year education programme, which aims to raise the aspirations of 16 to 19-year-olds and boost their employability skills by giving them real life experiences of the workplace. Over 600 young people, from schools and colleges across the UK, have graduated from the programme this year.

Working with an impressive network of over 800 employers, the programme provides a once-in-a-lifetime workplace experiences for teenagers, many from diverse urban backgrounds and areas of social need who would not normally have access to such opportunities. Completing the Career Academy programme greatly improves the students’ chances of progressing on to higher education or straight into a job, at a time of real concern about the employment and education prospects for young people in the UK.

The students received their certificates from members of the Career Academies UK National Advisory Board - Sarah MacKenzie, Head of HR at the McGraw Hill Group of Companies, Frederic Drevon, Senior Managing Director (EMEA) at Moody’s and Henrietta Royle, Chief Operating Officer at City University London. Six honorary alumni from schools, colleges and organisations across the UK were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the programme.

James McCreary, Career Academies UK’s recently appointed Chief Executive, and motivational speaker ‘Action Jackson’, offered words of encouragement and top tips on how young people can fulfil their ambitions and achieve future career success.

Joshua Carr, aged 17, was one of the graduates. He said, “Career Academy is a fantastic programme. I think the great relationship that I built up with my mentor, over the many meetings we engaged in, was so beneficial. Our trip to the London Transport museum stands out as the most memorable moment for me. I would definitely recommend the programme to others.”

James McCreary, Chief Executive of Career Academies UK, added: “At a time when youth unemployment is at a record high, graduation day celebrates the achievements of Career Academy students who have recognised the need to work hard and be armed with the skills and vital experience needed to help them get ahead and stay ahead! We wish the Career Academy class of 2010 at Redbridge College all the best for the future.”

Career Academies UK – the first national organisation to receive the Award for Education Business Excellence – was set up in 2002 to help raise the aspirations and career expectations of young people, by providing them with meaningful experiences of the world of work.

The curriculum is equivalent to three ‘A’ levels and includes one-to-one business mentoring and a six-week paid internship with a huge range of supporting businesses, including Citi, BP, Morgan Stanley, Lloyds Banking Group, BT, BUPA, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Santander, Cadbury, Bank of New York Mellon, McGraw-Hill, London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Moody’s.