A Dream Placement at KAEFER
The KAEFER team in Cumbria will be welcoming two ‘Dream Placements’ during the February half term holidays.
A Dream Placement at KAEFER
The KAEFER team in Cumbria will be welcoming two ‘Dream Placements’ during the February half term holidays.
Dream Placement is Cumbria’s unique leadership and business experience programme organised by the Centre for Leadership Performance in collaboration with businesses and schools and colleges across the county.
More than 60 teenagers are set for potentially life-changing Dream Placements over the February 2022 half-term break after impressing interviewers from host companies at the Selection Day event in December.
A record 38 companies, including KAEFER, joined almost 100 motivated and ambitious 16–18-year-olds in business problem solving and networking activities, before the interviews both face-to-face and on-line which resulted in the highest ever number of teenagers being selected.
Elizabeth Atkinson, Social Impact Manager Cumbria – KAEFER, said: “I’m delighted that we are taking part in the Dream Placement for the first time. The scheme helps student prepare for their future careers and gives them the opportunity to gain knowledge of the diverse range of industries and career options available. Being part of the scheme enables us to work with young people of a high calibre that we need to attract to our business to take us forward in the future . We were impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of the candidates and the standard was so high we decided to offer an additional place. The students will join us at our West Lakes Offices for a week placement in February, during which they will get to meet a wide range of staff and work on tasks alongside our commercial and operations teams, gaining an understanding of how our business and projects work.”
Special training sessions have also been taking place with host companies to help them organise meaningful placements and get the best out of their students.
Sarah Glass adds: “Dream Placement would not exist without our partners within the county’s business community who recognise the need to connect with young people and have demonstrated the value they place upon it by their outstanding support.”
Dream Placement 2022 will offer a blend of face-to-face encounters and virtual online engagement, building on the feedback from hosts and students before and during the COVID crisis. Online activity in 2021 expanded the opportunities offered by the programme but there was unanimous agreement on a return to face-to-face engagement, with appropriate COVID-safe measures in place.
More than 2,000 young people have so far been involved with this unique Cumbrian development programme which is funded by businesses committed to investing in the county’s young people.
Dream Placement was co-created with businesses and educators nine years ago to address the brain drain out of Cumbria and to help young people see the breadth of amazing opportunities across the County. The scheme is all about leadership, so vital elements are helping young people to build confidence and self-belief and develop key leadership skills.
Teenagers learn about career opportunities and interact with leaders within companies operating in Cumbria, while bosses connect directly with their future workforce, to discover their dreams and ambitions.
Applicants also benefit from engaging with other young people and with business leaders through Cumbria Future Leaders. The active youth network now involves almost 1000 young people connecting and brokering links with employers and other groups for dialogue and discussions. To find out more visit www.dreamplacement.org.uk