Business In Schools Award

This category is to recognise an initiative by either a school or business that has forged a successful partnership to the benefit of a school and its pupils.

It is key that schools and businesses link up so that young people are given the best start in life and local companies are aware of the pool of talent available to them, and we want to hear about all the good work that’s been done in this area.

We want to hear about how schools have forged links with local businesses and organisations, showing how children are being inspired by those driving forward the economic regeneration in Bradford.

It might be that a local business has gone into a school to work on a long-term project or held workshops with pupils, or schools might have had visits to local firms to see how the world of industry works.

Our young people need every opportunity they can be given to enable them to be competitive, proactive and contented in the adult world – and we know there are fabulous stories which show just how much work is being done in Bradford to that end.

So tell us about your link-ups with local businesses, or your business-related projects in the classroom.

Shipley College is sponsoring the Business in Schools Award in recognition of the importance of schools, colleges and businesses working together for mutual benefit. 

We appreciate the richer experience that our students gain from work placements, shared project working, presentations and competitions which are just some of the collaborations with our educational and business partners. Staff at the respective organisations also benefit hugely from these links too.

Students participate in WorldSkills and Matchfit competitions which give them a chance to compete at the highest level. Equally the links with national retail, banking, travel and hospitality companies provide direct experience of work in those sectors and insights into career options and business priorities. 

Our apprentices thrive with the local companies employing them - from major names to smaller local companies employing a few people. In addition, Level 3 Business, IT, Media/Games Development students and pupils at Titus Salt School benefit from our Centre of Excellence for Business hub which has active and committed board and associate members from the business world including Yorkshire Water, Prashad, Beaumont Robinson and Sainsbury’s.

The real life business projects and the work experience they gain are vital for developing life and work skills and confidence. Some students and apprentices are then offered full-time jobs with those very organisations which is a real positive.

Equally Shipley College provides work experience placements for school pupils and takes on apprentices who often gain a full-time job on completion of their training.