Local business women including our very own Anna Plotnek, Jemma James and Penny Sheward recently won a Warwickshire grant, thanks to their networking group, B46 Business Network.
Supporting the local business community and working with local schools and charities is a key objective for the B46 Business Networking team. The collaboration between B46 Business and Coleshill School meant they were successfully awarded a grant via ‘Build a Business Network’ scheme from Warwickshire County Council. The purpose of the grant is to help schools develop business networks and to improve the employability skills of young people.
Establishing mutually beneficial networks between businesses and schools is a key objective for us. We want to inspire students to achieve their career goals.
ANNA PLOTNEK
The grant has enabled multiple activities to take place, such as a highly successful breakfast networking event hosted by the School on the 12th April which brought 30 local business leaders together. Other activities included employability skills training, social media awareness, public speaking, CV writing, mock interviews, office skills, personal branding, and business visits.
All too often business leaders state the skills shortage as a barrier to growth and bemoan the lack of suitably skilled apprentices. Hopefully, the successful collaboration between B46 Business and the Coleshill School will seek to change this.
The mutual benefits are clear, not only for students but also businesses. Bringing pupils into contact with businesses exposes them to the realism of working life and ultimately increase job opportunities.
JEMMA JAMES, TRUTAC
The Coleshill School has been able to access funding and sponsorship opportunities from businesses, work experience, and other career opportunities. There have also been huge benefits for businesses who can now tap into a talent pool right on their doorstep and establish recruitment channels with students who are workforce ready.
As an employment and HR company we understand the challenges of recruiting and retaining talent locally. Building links between schools and businesses are paramount for the next generation.
PENNY SHEWARD, PS RECRUITMENT SERVICES
If you’d like to find out more about getting involved with the Business 46 Network please get in touch with Anna or visit the website to learn more about the Group and see the timetable of events.
