Leadership and Management Skills for City's Pupils

An innovative project has helped youngsters across Cardiff gain vocational skills in leadership and management.

As part of a pilot initiated by the National Training Federation Wales (NTfW), 52 pupils aged between 16 – 19 have been studying the Institute for Leadership and Management's Level 2 Award in Team Leading.

Training providers Acorn Learning Solutions, Barry College, ITEC Training Solutions and t2 Business Solutions have provided the training free of charge to participants. The project has also been supported by Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University.

Each pupil has undertaken work experience as part of the project, with groups meeting with senior managers at John Lewis, M&A solicitors and ITV Wales. One group spent a memorable afternoon in the company of Henry Englehardt, Chief Executive of Admiral.

NTFW's Andrew Dodge explains: "Gaining vocational skills as well as academic qualifications is ever more important in the competitive jobs market. This project seemed to provide an ideal solution by allowing learners to achieve both at the same time.

"We have seen a near 100% attendance rate at the training sessions, which have been held after school. All of the learners are on track to complete their ILM qualification, most with a mark of over 80%, which is a fantastic result."

The end of the project saw the pupils spend two days at Cardiff Business School, competing in a 'Dragon's Den competition and attending careers sessions with leading professional associations such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

The pupils received their qualifications at a graduation ceremony at the Business School in September.

Professor George Boyne, Dean of Cardiff Business School, said: "The employability of Cardiff's young people, and the development of the leadership skills, is key to their future development and that of their city. We are delighted that the scheme has been such a success and look forward to working in collaboration with all partners again next year."