Activities for Schools - Case Study

When we had a visit for our Year 12 Business group cancelled at short notice recently I thought of contacting the Brokerage to see if they could offer us anything to fill this gap. I had accompanied groups coming to their Working in the City programme when at my previous school and always found the sessions to be fun, informative and enjoyable though Kelsey Park is outside the inner-London area for which this programme is funded I found out that the Brokerage can now also run sessions for schools from other areas on a paid for basis.

I was able to book our group of 20 in for a half day session in their training room at their offices in London Wall. We agreed a programme that included their overview of the City - where it is; the students' first impressions; and the range of businesses and jobs there - and a couple of business games including their trading game. As well as being fun, these highlighted the range of skills and qualities employers look for. It was good to be able to take our group up to the City, most of them had never been there before. It opened the students eyes to a very wide range of employment opportunities and taught them some practical things about the world of business.

Feedback from the event was very positive, the whole group enjoyed the day, particularly playing the business games. In particular, they enjoyed playing the 'trading game' which involved 'buying' a range of commodities and making judgments on prices as market conditions changed. This enabled students to demonstrate their understanding of demand and supply and was a very exciting game! Students also enjoyed eating the doughnuts provided and taking a walk around the financial district after the workshop had ended.

Lisa Morris
Teacher, Kelsey Park School
Bromley

The Brokerage is an independent charity working in partnership with employers in business and finance to create a Pathway into employment for young inner London residents.

"This was diversity and talent development coming alive. Not just words and soundbytes but real practical action."

"After a short introduction the students asked a barrage of questions, some of which were more insightful than those I am asked in Graduate Recruitment interviews. "

"...The Brokerage has helped me instill the self-belief needed for some of my students to look beyond their local high street for a career."

"Despite it being on their doorstep, our students rarely venture into the City so these trips have given them the chance to experience first-hand what it is like to work in there, and in turn they want to achieve more. "

"...It’s not lack of ability that limits their aspirations or even lack of opportunity; it’s that they don’t know what opportunities exist or how to access them. Working with the Brokerage changes that. "

"I was able to develop skills which included teamwork, problem analysis, communication and decision making...The most crucial thing I learnt is to always think ahead and anticipate problems. "

"Managing individual aspirations is business critical and The Brokerage have, time after time, proved their expertise in this area."

"...It opened the students eyes to a very wide range of employment opportunities and taught them some practical things about the world of business."

"What better defines diversity than the global labour market – what better prepares young people for it than organisations like the Brokerage."

"It is impressive to see the way The Brokerage contribute to the talent pool within the City. As multi award winning experts in the field of talent management ourselves, we are full of admiration for the work the Brokerage does."

"Talent can be found wherever you look for it! The Brokerage looks farther and wider to find that talent with the support of those forward-thinking institutions."

"It was my first time at a City firm and it was really fascinating to learn about all sorts of jobs out there. The day really helped me learn about how I can enhance my career path for the future."

"When organising our enterprise events it has been invaluable to know that, if they can, the Brokerage will help."

Activities for Schools - Case Study