Innovative Mentoring Programme reaping rewards for Students and Employers

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Innovative Mentoring Programme reaping rewards for Students and Employers

24 July 2019

A new pilot scheme, which gives students the opportunity to obtain work experience and mentoring from Worcestershire employers, has already provided permanent career opportunities for students.

Morgan Motors Company were so impressed by two students, Conner MacRae and Thomas Wall, who were studying Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles at Heart of Worcestershire College, that they have offered them permanent jobs as Fitters on Chassis Build at the company’s world-renowned factory based in Malvern.

The Junior Internship Programme which commenced in September 2018 is part of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership’s ‘Creating our Future Workforce’ campaign to strengthen the relationship between schools and businesses in Worcestershire. The early successes of the Programme supports recent research which has proven the positive impact on students’ progress during their studies when supported and mentored by employers. Furthermore, Morgan Motor Company’s experience also demonstrates the Programme as being a valuable recruitment onboarding strategy, to secure high quality employees and retain our valuable talent within the county.

The Junior Interns who have been offered the permanent positions are delighted to have launched their career in such a prestigious company as Morgan.

Thomas Wall commented:

“The Junior Internship Programme has really helped me with the transition between college and employment including communication skills. I love that I’m able utilise both traditional and new manufacturing methods at Morgan and really appreciate the importance of Health and Safety that the course tutors told us about so often.”

Conner added:

“To work for an organisation like Morgan is such a privilege. It’s great how the experienced engineers pass on their knowledge and passion. We already feel like part of the team and not just the new guys. The passion that all the engineers have about the cars they build is really impressive. One engineer told me that ‘we are not just making a car, we’re making a lifestyle and a piece of art.”

Steve Morris, CEO, Morgan Motor Company said:

“As a 110 year old company that retains a highly skilled workforce to build our range of world renowned sports cars, it is vitally important that we’re able to recruit and train the next generation of Morgan craftsmen and women. We’re delighted to be working with the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership to enable us to do this, and I’m pleased to welcome Conner and Thomas to the Morgan family as the first recruits on the Junior Internship Programme.”

Mark Seyler, from Heart of Worcestershire College added:

“The Junior Internship Programme provides our students with the opportunity to prove themselves to an employer, whilst enabling learners to develop the relevant occupational skills, attitudes and behaviours expected at work. This reinforces the learning students gain whilst undertaking courses at Heart of Worcestershire College and it is fantastic to see students’ commitment to the Programme being rewarded with offers of employment from Morgan."

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, commented:

“Worcestershire’s Mentoring Programme is a fantastic example of how the county’s businesses take such an active role in the learning and development of our younger generations. By connecting schools with companies, the county will be better placed to address the skills gap and develop a workforce that is prepared for the future challenges of business.”

The recruitment for the second cohort of Junior Interns will commence in the Autumn Term and the Programme will currently continue to be offered to students from Heart of Worcestershire College and Worcester Sixth Form College with plans to extend this to other colleges in 2020/21. Students or employers wishing to participate in the programme can contact Jacqui Morley-Brooker, Apprenticeship Hub Project Manager at Worcestershire County Council.