Students take part in a week of work experience with Sevenoaks businesses

STUDENTS from Sevenoaks and the surrounding areas were given a taste of what life is like in the work place thanks to a week of work experience opportunities organised by the Sevenoaks and District Chamber of Commerce.

The carefully orchestrated week of events, site visits, presentations and workshops was organised for the first time with a number of Chamber of Commerce member businesses to educate students on the number of career options available in the local business community. 

Chamber Chief Exec Julie Phillips said: “Many members jumped at the chance to support local students and we were thrilled by the amount of effort each business had put into their 1-2 hours slot. These offered students a really interactive experience to help them consider different career options.”

A wide variety of career options were covered during the week from accounting, law, funeral care and engineering. The feedback from the students was excellent, with many saying they had now explored careers they had never considered before. 

The initiative was led by Chamber Board Members Sharon Field from FM Conway and Kirsteen Allen from flexible recruitment specialist Ten2Two.

Sharon said: “This initiative was developed after talking to fellow Chamber members who are often approached by students for work experience but they are unable to commit to a full week. It was clear that local businesses want to support students but just needed a more flexible way to get involved.”

Julie Phillips added: “This initiative was a great example of Chamber businesses collaborating to support our local students and schools and we are very grateful to the time and effort that was taken by each business involved.   This initiative has received a lot of attention from local schools, businesses and parents alike who have urged for similar events in the future.  The Chamber of Commerce will be reviewing the week carefully and may use this as a test case to look at similar initiatives in the future.”

Businesses who participated in the Sevenoaks Chamber of Commerce work experience week included:

• FM Conway – Engineering and apprenticeships
• Biggin Hill Airport – Engineering 
• Handelsbanken – Banking and finance
• Thackray Williams Solicitors – Legal 
• Specsavers Opticians – Optical training and retail
• Wagamamas  – Catering and hospitality 
• Rockdale – Working in Care
• Lakeview Accountancy – Accountancy and finance opportunities
• Wealden Property – Property management and development
• Welham Jones – Funeral Services
• Sevenoaks Town Council – Local government apprenticeships and funding 
• Summer Festival – Events Management
• Horncastles – Retail
• Linked In for Success – Linked in training and tips
• Ten2Two recruitment – CV and Interview skills
• 7 Hotel Diner – Catering and Hospitality Management
• Cryojeuvenate – Health/beauty and entrepreneurship
• Sevenoaks District Council – Social media, local politics and Humanitarian
• West Kent Mind – Charity
• Go-Coach – transport for students

FM Conway and Ten2Two Flexible Recruitment helped plan and organise the event and Sevenoaks Town Council provided transport for the students.

sevenoakschamber.com