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ayrshire work shadow challenge

available to secondary schools in ayrshire

This Annual Challenge to Ayrshire Secondary Schools final year students has been running since 2000. Providing an opportunity to experience how to prepare for and get a job interview and then to acquire report writing and presentational skills based on a three day shadow experience with a manager.

We hope that the following information will encourage you to help give one successful school student the opportunity to experience what managers really do in the world of work.

The Challenges Partners
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Ayrshire Branch, who created the initiative, formed the challenge partnership with Ayrshire Chamber and Careers Scotland in 1999. With full support from North, South and East Ayrshire Education Departments the challenge is being actively encouraged and supported by them to get all Secondary School in Ayrshire participating.

Aims of the Challenge

For the Students

To better equip them on the importance of a good CV
How to carry out a job interview
Practice in report writing and presenting to large audience
To experience the competitive nature of seeking and getting a job in business
To experience professional management at work role model

To give the students a practical insight into the competitive nature of the world of work or further education, and to experience at first hand what a senior manager does in his /her working life.

For the Manager

This challenge gives managers (and companies) the opportunity to;

help young people develop/appreciate importance of work skills
promote their business in the community
help shape/guide education in improving our students for successful transition from school to work or further education
put something back into Ayrshire

The experience will also highlight the importance of Management in the world of Industry and Commerce, and the skills and qualities that combine to make a good manager, and promote Management as a future career target.

How does the Challenge Work?
Participating secondary school S6 students compile a CV and letter seeking to win the right to work shadow a manager in their workplace. CV/Letters are examined and a maximum of 5 students will be selected and interviewed by two managers. The student showing the greatest potential from each school is then invited to take part in the work shadowing challenge.

Successful student will be paired (at a Hello Meeting) to shadow a manager for 3 days (not necessarily consecutive), and will then write a Report based on his/her observations.
The Reports are marked and the students go forward to their Local Authority Final where they have to give a 5 - 8 minute Presentation and then answer questions posed by the judging panel.

The first two students from each local authority final will take part in a Pan Ayrshire Final for CMI trophy.

What do managers do?
The Work Shadowing experience is not the same as Work Experience it is more of a Fly-on-the-wall situation.
The Student is watching YOU perform your day-to-day duties, observing your management skills and qualities, when and how they are used, and how this fits the structure and aims of your Company.

We are seeking middle/senior managers (from all disciplines, from public, private and voluntary sectors) to provide either;

a three day shadow experience
Help with school interviews (a half day or full day) in this case you would be partnered at the interview by a CMI manager
Tips for successful shadowing

It is beneficial if you or a colleague can attend the Hello meeting evening when you can meet your Student and arrange suitable dates for shadowing. It is also an opportunity to learn more about the Project and clarify any points you wish to raise.

The aim throughout interviews and shadowing is to positively encourage, support our young people adopt a can do will do attitude to life and work.

Although it is important to know the structure of the Company, don't spend too much time on conducted tours or lengthy explanations about how the Company operates.

The Students have 2 weeks to submit their Reports for assessment. It would be most helpful if you could discuss with your Shadow how the Report should be formulated and suggest any relevant items that could be incorporated.

Try to arrange to see the Report before it is submitted so that any last minute alterations can be completed in time.

Reward
We are sure you will reap enormous satisfaction at seeing and hearing Ayrshire's young people delivering outstanding presentations before an invited audience of over 70. The talent that exists within our young people is immense. All we need to do is to help unlock some of it to help them on the way to fulfilling their potential.

If you would like to be involved please contact Claire Baird on 01292 678666 or email cbaird@ayrshire-chamber.org

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