FEATURED STORY

Working at the Council

A group of 13, Year 9 Milton Keynes Academy students had the opportunity to experience how Milton Keynes Council works at first hand as part of the Equal Choices programme.  This project is run by Countec, the local Education and Business Partnership and allows students to be introduced to the world of work before their two week work experience placements in Year 10.  Many secondary schools in Milton Keynes take part and each year schools are paired with a different local employer.

The students spent two days at MK Council looking at the different departments and understanding the wide range of services the council provides.  As part of the process, the students were partnered with mentors who explained in detail what their particular role involved; the students really valued their time together.  On the second day, students were given a challenge and had to create a presentation offering solutions to a real problem the Council faces.

Jake Finch said being on the Equal Choices programme had given him the opportunity to learn new techniques and had shown how important it was to be adaptable, flexible and have good communication skills.  Nooria Sheikh explained: “I think Equal Choices is a great programme and it really helps young people know about and learn skills needed in the work place.”