Ex footballer gives pupils new career goals at 'Guess My Job' session
Former Shrewsbury Town footballer Mickey Brown inspired primary school youngsters at the latest ‘Guess My Job’ session.
Mickey was one of the guest employers at the event which took place at Harlescott Junior School, Shrewsbury.
Pupils benefited enormously from the activity which was supported by other employer volunteers from businesses across the borough and organised by Telford & Wrekin Council’s Life Ready Work Ready team which is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF).
This ESF funding has enabled the Life Ready Work Ready team to deliver these workshops to schools across Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire and will continue to do so until the end of March 2023.
Mickey is now a Personal Trainer at Shrewsbury Town but during his playing career he also played for Preston North End where he was teammates with David Beckham for a short spell.
The session gave youngsters the opportunity to ask Mickey and other employees about their job (yes or no answers only) before they were given five minutes to guess their correct profession.
Employees then described their career journey, route into their current role and their training and qualifications before answering further questions from pupils.
Life Ready Work Ready already has a team of business volunteers from different local business sectors which support events and help young people to become work ready but is on the lookout for more.
Sam Harvey, Life Ready Work Ready Co-ordinator at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “We really enjoyed delivering the session at Harlescott Junior School which was one of our best events.
“All the pupils were really engaged and they particularly enjoyed hearing from Mickey about his football career.
“These sessions give youngsters food for thought about different career pathways and help them find out more about sectors they are interested in.
“Employers are really supportive of these activities and we are very grateful to those who are committing their time to these activities to help young people on their career and employment journey.”
Harlescott Junior School teacher Alun Tombleson said: “The workshop was an overwhelming success. Sam was skilled at managing the student excitement and clearly relayed the intended session outcomes to the pupils.
“Pupils were fully engaged and excited to meet our guests who were knowledgeable, well spoken and happy to engage with our pupils.
“Following on from the session, children spoke about their own future career paths and how they were inspired by the inspirational business leaders.
“It was fantastic to hear our pupils speak about their own future career choices and how education can help them to achieve their potential.”
Councillor Eileen Callear (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Employment and Skills said: “This was another excellent Life Ready Work Ready event which encouraged young people to think about their career pathways at an early age.
“These events help to prepare young people for the workplace and make them aware of the skills and qualifications they need to progress.”
If you are an employer/employee interesting in supporting these school events or becoming a Life Ready Work Ready business volunteer, please email: lifereadyworkready@telford.gov.uk
Photo: Tracy King, from Tracy's Drapes, was one of the employers who supported the Guess My Job session at Harlescott Junior School along with Personal Trainer Mickey Brown, Elaine Brooks from Luxury Pools and Mosaics Ltd and Mike Lewis from Decostitch.
