CAREER ACADEMIES UK

Career Academies UK was set up in 2002 to widen education opportunities and enhance career prospects of young people.  Now in a major new partnership, the DHL UK Foundation is working with Career Academies through three pilot projects around the country.  These will explore how DHL employees can use their professional knowledge and skills to transform a young person's life chances through learning.

Career Academies UK is an independent not-for-profit organisation.  It provides middle achieving young people aged 16-19 with a rigorous, industry validated business studies curriculum equivalent to three A levels.  At the same time it provides them with a mentor from a business and a six week paid internship to practise what they have learned.  They also receive lectures from senior business leaders, participate in visits to companies and attend national conferences with other Career Academy students.

There are opportunities for staff to get involved in all areas of the Career Academy model. For employees who want a regular commitment, there will be the chance to become a mentor, helping an individual student to understand how their academic learning could be applied in a business setting. For those who might only be able to give a few hours each year colleges are offered 'Guru lectures', from experts in business disciplines such as finance, logistics and marketing.  Students also undertake a six week paid internship during the summer holiday between their two years of study, so there will be chances to buddy the students during this time.

www.careeracademies.org.uk