Burntwood Lane School Careers Event

Each year, Burntwood School host a speed networking event for young people. Burntwood School is a girls’ secondary school and sixth form with academy status, located in Wandsworth.

On 21st March Lucy Cook (Sir Robert McAlpine) and Neda Haghshenas (London Square) attended on behalf of the partners at Springfield Village.

The careers speed networking event gives pupils aged 13-14 the opportunity to gain careers advice in five-minute networking sessions with professionals.

Research by the Confederation of British Industry has found that young adults who recalled four or more business interactions while at school were five times less likely to be a NEET (not in education, employment or training) and earned, on average, 16% more.

Through alternating tables every five minutes, students had the opportunity to explore career options and pathways. Moreover, advice was given on the world of work; everything from apprenticeships and early careers programmes, through to tips on university applications and CVs. The event was full of invaluable information for students thinking about their GCSE subjects for next year, and exploring career pathways they would like to pursue in the future.

Neda Haghshenas, Social Sustainability & Community Manager at London Square, said: “Preparing the next generation for the job market and giving young people more ways to engage with business opens up opportunity, helps to improve their life chances and ensures that London’s economy has the skilled workforce that it needs to grow. It’s great to be involved in Burntwood’s School speed networking event and to see so many professionals volunteering to share their expertise and top tips with students.”

Neda Haghshenas (Left) London Square Social Sustainability & Community Manager and Lucy Cook (Right) Sir Robert McAlpine Construction Manager