Northampton Saints Foundation remains dedicated to getting young people into employment as part of its HITZ and Engage+ programmes.
The ‘business simulation day’, which took place in May is the final day in the CV and interview workshop and follows on from ‘how to write a CV’ and ‘how to interview effectively’. The award-winning workshops, created for our employability students in 2019 by Doug Ferguson and Mel Hayward, Volunteer Leadership and Development Consultants, have become a staple of the Foundation’s academic calendar ensuring all young people leave with the skills they need to gain employment.
During the day the Foundation were joined by representatives from Travis Perkins, Aldi, Scott's of Thrapston, Goodwill Solutions and Foundation Trustee Ella Bevan to carry out interviews where students were able to put the skills they had learnt into practise. They were also joined by Foundation Ambassador and Northampton Saints player Harry Mallinder who showed his support to the young people as they showcased themselves and their CV’s to the prospective employers.
"The CV and Interview workshop business simulation day is always one of the most inspiring in our academic year" said Catherine Dean, Managing Director, Northampton Saints Foundation. "Witnessing the young people evolve through the day, always initially nervous and uncertain, to be able to flourish by the end, confident, smiling and having learnt that interviews are not as terrifying as they thought is wonderful to see. Hearing that some of the students have been offered real roles consequently makes it such a worthwhile programme. Thank you to Doug, Mel and the Foundation team for delivering another top-quality workshop experience for the young people".
One of the young ladies I met today, I would have no hesitation in offering her a job I thought she was absolutely brilliant. And a real credit to the programme.
Verity, Travis Perkins
“It’s been absolutely incredible” added Colin, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust. “I have really thoroughly enjoyed the day, the young people who are here are smart, engaged and interviewed incredibly well. I know all of the employers were impressed and that’s real credit to Northampton Saints Foundation”
Referrals for our HITZ programme are now open. Targeted at 16 to 19-year-olds the course, delivered nationally by Premiership Rugby’s 13 member clubs, aims to improve students functional Maths and English, develop valuable life skills and gain important qualifications alongside experience from work placements and employer-led sessions. To arrange a visit to the classroom or to discuss referrals for young people, please contact our HITZ Team.
