Employers

We receive great local support from PSR solutions.

Mr Abdul Mozzamdar – Enterprise Advisor to Wolgarston and Group Development Manager for PSR Solutions.

Abdul plays a key role in the development of Careers in Wolgarston using his extensive knowledge of local business and contacts to advise the school team. His expertise in both the construction industry and apprenticeships has benefited Wolgarston students. Abdul has worked in the apprenticeships and training arena for over 18 years in varying industry sectors. Prior to joining PSR Solutions, Abdul spent two years advising clients on how best to utilise the apprenticeship levy, design and implement an effective bespoke apprenticeship programme, Executive Coaching service and CSR. Abdul became the youngest and most successful account manager at Key Training. He won Account Manager of the year 3 years running. Apprenticeships starts increased by 48% in his first year at the firm. Retention of candidates and successful apprenticeship completions also increased year on year. Abdul dealt with a variety of clients from different sectors such as Automotive, Accounting, Banking, Logistics, Manufacturing, Law, Public Services, Local Authorities.

PSR Solutions is a leading provider of permanent and freelance personnel in the construction industry and built environment, with strong relationships with market-leading contractors as well as regional, national, and multinational blue-chip clients. They are based just outside Penkridge. They have supported events in school with their Training Manager, Tracey Androlia and their Marketing Manager, Luke Hough. Shown right presenting to Year 10 in Summer 2021.

Mrs Jackie Flint – Independent Careers Advisor Wolgarston (JF Career Services). Qualified to Level 6 in Careers Guidance, Jackie has been our independent careers advisor for many years and has a wealth of experience in the local labour market. Jackie also has great experience of the local education providers and can give our students clear guidance on College places and apprenticeships. Jackie will see mainly Year 11 students, starting with those we identify as needing more guidance, but then any student that seeks her support. She conducts one to one interviews and some group sessions as appropriate. In addition, small targeted groups of Year 10 will be given earlier interviews. Jackie will support GCSE and A Level results days along with Options Evenings.

Since 2021 the school work with large Midlands based building company G F Tomlinson Building Ltd to deliver an enterprise day for Year 9 students. Following a virtual tour of a building site with a young apprentice explaining his job and his career path into the building industry. Students then spent a day designing a dining area for a large Catholic School in 2D. They budgeted materials and built their designs as 3D models for presentation. There were some interactive online meetings between students and managers of G F Tomlinson. The day concluded with presentations of the best designs to a board of senior designers, engineers, and managers.

Feedback to our students from Tomlinson was:

1. All models showed fantastic innovation and design flair
2. Great consideration of how to make the buildings more sustainable and carbon neutral in response to the climate emergency – green roofs, solar panels and wind turbines were fantastic additions to see
3. Each of the models met the brief and had a unique design, whilst providing added value.
4. Many of the models had factored in elements over and above the brief – things like how the external areas can supplement the building, the internal layouts of the building etc.
5. DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliance was factored into the models to ensure accessibility and inclusivity
6. All teams delivered within budget
7. A number of presentations included reference to project delivery showing thought had been given to the logistics and stakeholder engagement, a crucial part of construction
8. All the teams gave excellent presentations and gave considered responses to the panel’s questions, demonstrating great professionalism and interpersonal skills.

Students from Computer Science and others interested in a career related to technology, computing and media listen to a virtual presentation by Mark Flanagan from EPIC Games. EPIC are makers of games including Fortnite, and Mark was online to talk about his journey and careers in animation and gaming. Students were shown the very cutting edge of computing. October 2021. .

Encounters with Employers and Education Providers

Throughout the year guest speakers are invited in to provide opportunities for encounters with employers (Gatsby Benchmark 5) and Education Providers. While we do actively seek visits in each employment area; we will seek out oppirtnities and this means we cannot always schedule speakers at short notice. For example, we use our alumni and Speakers For Schools Virtual programme to seek out online careers presentations linked to specific employment, careers or subjects. We have developed relationships with some local employers and employees to deliver talks targeted at particular areas that are growing in terms of labour market information or student interest (student surveys). Therer are also opportunities for presentations from various Education Providers.

Examples of past presentations delivered (*virtual)

Speaker	Subject or career area
MP for Blackpool Paul Maynard*	Politics
Mark Roden Operations Director Toyota GB	Manufacturing and Business
G F Tomlinson	Construction
G F Tomlinson	Uniformed Services
RAF – Josh Lyons	Uniformed Services
Jess Bird (PA to England Football Teams)	Sports Industry
Alumni – Dyson Danya Walker and Isaac Goodbody	Manufacturing
PSR Marketing Manager- Luke Hough	Marketing
Tesco	Food Industry
Adam Johnson – FA Football Analyst	Sport Industry
Alumni – Neve Murray and Alex King	Russel Group Universities
NHS – Rachael Berks Senior Matron	Health
Alumni – Holly Swift Solicitor	Legal Services
Alumni – Matt McCormack – Rolls Royce	Engineering
Dr. Tim Minshall, Dr John C Taylor Professor of Innovation, University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing*	Engineering
Severn Trent Water	Construction and Engineering
NCSG	College Courses
PSR – Abdul Mozzambar	Apprenticeships
Mark Flanagan Epic Games*	Computing, Animation and Design
Grayson Perry*	Art
Sir Gavin Williamson MP	Politics
Georgina Felton of DAC Beachcroft	Law
Jeremy Lefroy Ex-MP Businessman	Politics and Enterprise

Any employer who can offer a career encounter through workshops, presentations or arranged visits, please contact the school at: office@wolgarston.staffs.sch.uk with Careers in the subject line.