The session began with an icebreaker activity that encouraged students to recognise their skills and personal qualities, helping them understand how to present themselves confidently in future applications.

Students then explored how to build their personal “brand,” identifying strengths, positive traits, and passions through discussion with their peers. This led into a focus on key employability skills, brought to life through real-world examples shared by the visitors, highlighting the importance of adaptability, communication, and initiative in the workplace.

The workshop also provided practical guidance on CV writing. Students considered how to showcase their achievements, responsibilities, and interests effectively, before beginning to draft their own CVs using provided templates.

A session on digital footprint reinforced the importance of managing an online presence, with students learning how social media can influence future opportunities and how to present themselves positively online.

The workshop concluded with an interactive interview skills session, where students took part in role-play scenarios and discussed what makes a strong candidate, before reflecting on their future goals and aspirations.

Student Reflections

“I found it interesting and helpful for the future because we saw different types of demonstrations and CV styles. It showed me how to approach challenges and made me think about my goals and how I present myself.” – Victory.A

“I think it was very helpful for what I want to do in the future. I will use it to help me with my CV and interviews. The speakers were engaging, and it was really useful hearing about their real-life experiences. The booklet helped me practise writing my CV and think about my skills and what I need to improve.” – Sonny.O

“I think the workshop was helpful and showed me what I will need to do to prepare for a future job interview. I liked hearing about their experiences and how they engaged with us. It was something different from a normal school day and made me feel more prepared for the future.” Annie.F

“They helped us understand what we need to do to achieve our goals. The visitors were very helpful, and I hope many of us benefit from this experience.” – Josh.S

Thank you to the Jack Petchey Foundation for generously funding the majority of this Employability Masterclass, making this opportunity possible for our students.