Lord Mayor joins HMRC to celebrate students’ achievements

Students from The Bulwell Academy were presented with certificates by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham yesterday, to mark their completion of a six-week “employability skills” programme run by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Councillor Merlita Bryan presented the awards to eight studentsfrom The Academy that took part in the “Engaging our Schools” programme delivered by HMRC staff. The students attended a weekly two hour session for six weeks taking a practical look at elements of work and applying for jobs. The programme included looking at job vacancies, writing CVs, applying for jobs and preparing for and taking part in mock interviews

The programme is part of an initiative to start a closer working relationship between the Civil Service and local communities in a positive and practical way, and is one of many taking place across the UK.

Nick Tooley, Civil Service Local Co-ordinator HMRC said:

“We are delighted we have been able to provide this learning programme to students at The Bulwell Academy. The academy and students were welcoming, focused and enthusiastic to this new supportive learning approach. Our aim has been to combine volunteering opportunities to improve young people’s prospects for employment and foster a positive attitude towards the benefits of working. The scheme has also given our staff the opportunity to work in the heart of the community and helped them to develop their leadership, project management and presentation skills.”

Alison Bingham, Director of Business & Enterprise at The Bulwell Academy was pleased to support this pilot programme and said:

“The Academy is really focused on ensuring that our students leave education fully prepared for the world of work.  However much time and energy we give to helping them write their applications or prepare for interviews, there is no better development for them than to receive one-to-one support like this.  Our students have relished the opportunity to learn more about employment for themselves and have felt privileged to be part of this innovative scheme.  We are very grateful to the team who have shared their time and expertise with our students and hope that this will be the start of a longer term partnership with HMRC.”

Academy student Lee Taylor, age 15, said,

 “I have really enjoyed this experience and I really feel that I’m more ready to take the step in to the world of work.  I would not have ever thought about working in the Civil Service but now I think I might.  What I really liked was meeting the staff who were so helpful and made me feel that I will be ok in the future.”

Notes for editors

1.  The “Engaging our Schools” programme by HMRC forms part of the Civil Service Local initiative which supports the Civil Service Reform Programme to encourage government departments to connect with communities by building relationships with local schools. The scheme brings civil servants and local pupils together to show learning about work can be fun.

2.  30,000 paid volunteering days a year are provided to civil servants to provide guiding activities in key government policy areas.

3.  Follow HMRC on Twitter @HMRCgovuk