Students from across Kent and Medway were able to take part in a series of fun and interactive creative workshops over the February half-term.
Run by the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in partnership with the charity ThinkForward, students from Years 9-11 were invited onto the university campus and given the chance to take part in workshops designed to help them explore different career pathways in the creative sector – from gaming to jewellery making and photography.
With a focus on creative employability activities, the workshops also included a progression presentation and a tour of the university campus with a student ambassador.
Keion Young, KAMCOP Community Outreach Development Officer at UCA, explained, “We have been partnered with ThinkForward for several years now, running activities for students in Years 9-11 both within and outside of school time.
“Through working closely with the progression mentors and ThinkForward coaches in our partner schools all over Kent and Medway, we aim to support those young people who may need some extra support to grow in confidence and create goals for their future.”
“We run a number of different activities including a 10-week business mentoring programme, whereby we provide students with one-to-one mentoring and support in writing their CV, guidance on looking for jobs and help with interviews.”
He added, “The school holiday workshops have been really popular, and we look forward to running these again over the Easter and May half-term holidays.”
ThinkForward is a national charity that works to empower young people in the UK through an innovative long-term coaching programme. It aims to equip young people with the skills and experience they need to move into work after they finish school.
Nina French, Progression Mentor at The Marsh Academy said, “Working with UCA KAMCOP for the past four years has been a really positive experience, not only for our students but also for myself as a ThinkForward Coach.
“On each occasion, I find the workshops always run with ease, nothing is too much trouble, with the organisation of the events being superb.
“Staff and ambassadors are engaging with the students, very supportive and adaptable to help engage students with a variety of learning needs.”
To find out more about the next UCA ThinkForward workshops, please contact KMPF.