The successful candidate doesn’t leave empty handed, winning a voucher and a guarantee of one week’s work experience provided by Gordon Franks Training.Completed in a day of activities, students are given individual and group challenges that test their skills in logical thinking, teamwork, listening and communication, emotional intelligence, motivation and enthusiasm.The variety of challenges include fun and engaging activities such as building the tallest tower using dry spaghetti and marshmallows, as well as covering practical exercises in how to get noticed when applying for jobs.Each challenge is designed to drive students beyond their comfort zone, test how they approach and solve problems, enable them to work on communication and team building, and gives them the opportunity to demonstrate leadership and presenting skills.The 1Job Challenge day then culminates in mock interviews to determine who gets the position. Facilitators from the business world, such as company directors, business owners and recruitment agencies, join with Gordon Franks Training to offer the students a realistic experience, including an opportunity for them to experience a group interview.These business men and women remain on-hand following the interview process to pass on expert advice and support – giving students valuable feedback to help them in their job-hunting endeavours in the future.Gordon Franks Training director, Matt Franks, created the 1Job Challenge programme to re-introduce a competitive element to schools. He said:“Outside of sports events, schools tend to shy away from anything that compares students or pitches them against each other in a competitive way. But the real world just isn’t like that.“When it comes to applying for work, you have to show you have the edge. At Gordon Franks Training we’ve seen how this can come as a shock to school-leavers when they apply for our apprenticehips. This is why I felt it was an important issue to highlight, and where the idea for the 1Job Challenge came from.“Young people leaving school with similar qualifications need to know how they can stand out from the crowd. And whilst one person is picked as an overall winner, hopefully everyone will take something away from the 1Job Challenge day that will help them in the future.”Aled Watkins, head of travel and tourism work related learning at Small Heath School said:“All the teaching staff involved commented on the relevance of the activities and the workshops which were interesting, well organised and very well presented. I have had lots of encouraging comments from staff about the pupils who have a reputation as being disruptive in assemblies, however I was incredibly impressed with them.”Of the interviews, Andy Marshall, assistant headteacher from St Edmund Campion School said:“All the students and staff involved were so pleased with how the employers were chosen and the high quality advice and guidance you and they gave. I really appreciate your time in ensuring such a high quality event at our school.”Student feedback from the 1Job Challenge day has included the following comments:“Fun, engaging and informative”“Thanks for the intriguing lesson about emotional intelligence and IQ, it was definitely enjoyable”“Professional but understanding for our age”“It was good because you kept us focused”Gordon Franks Training work with schools in a variety of ways, offering activity days, workshops, career advice sessions, work experience co-ordination packages and even vocational study programmes for Year 11 and 12 students.For more details on any of the school programmes available, visitwww.gordonfrankstraining.co.uk/schoolsor call 0121 333 3001 and speak to Matthew Franks.
