We are delighted that WEM has been shortlisted for ‘Mentoring Programme of the Year’ at the National Mentoring Awards, the award ceremony is in London on Friday 1st March. This is part of our application as to why we think WEM should be recognised.
“There is compelling evidence that a young person who has four or more encounters with an employer is 86% less likely to be unemployed or not in education or training. WEM enables students to have six encounters with employers.
To date 25% of the regions schools are participating in the programme and we aim to increase this to a third by July 2019. Last school year 20 groups of students totalling 310 students took part in the programme. WEM trained over 130 business mentors and there was a total of 1550 work place visits by students involved. By the end of this school year a further 300 students and 210 mentors will have taken part, and a total of 1500 work place visits.
Our overall total will then be 610 students, 340 mentors, and an impressive 3050 work place visits !
In addition to the positive impact WEM is having, it is also enabling schools to develop relationships with new businesses, many are now involved with the schools beyond WEM, taking part in interview days, providing work experience and school visits.
WEM was a new programme that has evolved and grown, it is unique with repeat visits to the workplace, training of mentors and providing careers related mentoring prior to students taking GCSE options.
WEM is the only regional mentoring programme that notably enables mentors to increase skills and links them to their future employees. WEM ensures that mentors benefit as much as mentees from taking part.”
Fingers crossed and we’ll let you know how we get on !