Better Learners Better Workers - BLBW

I am sure at times we all wonder…
Could we do better? Could we help more students? We wonder if what we do, really does makes a difference?

Then we receive emails and texts like these and it makes it all seem better ❤️

Thanks to everyone who makes our programme a success

What an unforgettable evening!
Last night we held our graduation ceremony at The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire for 30 Primary and 125 Secondary and SEND students.
Despite the warm weather, the hall was packed with nearly 450 people, including the Master Cutler, Deputy Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Sheffield, Rotherham & Doncaster Mayors, parents and carers, employers and school staff.

The event featured the presentation of student Gold Awards, a special Teacher Award, and an Education Provider Award, recognising excellence, dedication, and outstanding contributions throughout the year.

One of the evening's standout moments was hearing two of our current students deliver truly inspiring speeches. They reflected on their journeys, shared words of gratitude, and encouraged their fellow graduates to embrace the opportunities ahead. Their confidence, resilience, and optimism made everyone in the room proud.

Congratulations to all of our award winners and graduates. We wish you every success in the next chapter of your journey.

Thank you to all the employers who have supported us this year, and we look forward to starting the programme again in September.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BWWuCDA9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Our Better Learners, Better Workers students recently enjoyed an inspiring visit to Straaltechniek in Sheffield along with other students from Maltby Academy.

Students were welcomed into the workshops and offices for an engaging presentation and guided tour, where they learned about the exciting career opportunities available in engineering. They heard from the owner, Social Media Manager, and HR Manager, who shared valuable insights into their roles and the engineering industry.

A huge thank you to the whole team at Straaltechniek for providing such a fantastic experience and helping to inspire the next generation.

Today our Ambassadors from Firth Park Academy had the fantastic opportunity to visit the construction site of Sheffield Forgemasters' new £280 million Machine Shop – a truly impressive project that will play a key role in the future of UK manufacturing.

We started the visit in the boardroom, where Harvey Worrall shared the vision for the project, explaining how the development will come together and discussing the important role apprenticeships are playing throughout the construction.

We then headed out onto the viewing platform to see the site firsthand. Standing above the project really put its scale into perspective – the building is absolutely enormous, and we genuinely felt like little ants looking down at the incredible progress being made!

It was inspiring to learn more about the engineering, construction, planning, and people behind such a significant investment, while also hearing about the opportunities being created for the next generation through apprenticeships.

A huge thank you to McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd & Harvey Worrall for hosting us and providing such a warm welcome.

We look forward to seeing the project continue to take shape! 👷‍♀️ 🏗️ 🚧

From tomorrow

Yesterday 70 Better Learners Better Workers (BLBW) Ambassadors took part in an Army team building day at Wentworth Woodhouse with The Royal Yorkshire Regiment. Students from different schools and Colleges came together to take part in a variety of exciting challenges and activities.
Throughout the day, they learned many important skills, including teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Working together with students from other schools helped them to build confidence and make new friends. Every challenge required them to cooperate, listen to each other, and support their teammates.
The soldiers from The Royal Yorkshire Regiment showed students different army skills and encouraged them to do their best. We were also pleased that Hilary Chapman HM Lord Lieutenant and Professor Keith Jackson CEng CDir Master Cutler & Mistress Cutler joined us and spoke to students throughout the day.
At the end of the day, prizes were given to the ‘Best team player’, ‘Overall student’ and ‘Winning team’, presented by HM The Lord Lieutenant.
It was an enjoyable and rewarding event that helped students develop valuable life skills while having fun and working together.
Thanks to everyone who came along to support 👏🏻

Take a look at our latest case study for Better Learners Better Workers - BLBW programme, which features Jake Newlove, a former BLBW ambassador.
We are so proud of Jake and how he is progressing in his career.

Hollie Clark The Company of Cutlers

This week brought two site visits for our Ambassadors.

Firstly King Edwards VII School visited Willmott Dixon's latest project on Fargate.
The £14.4m transformation of Event Central, a landmark project that will repurpose a former retail building into a fabulous music venue and office workspace.

Secondly Sir Thomas Wharton Academy visited VINCI Building UK's site at Doncaster Royal infirmary.

This is a new state on the art Critical care unit due for completion early Jan 2027. The new department will feature 22 beds in patient bays designed for critically ill patients, technology, a reception area, family room, waiting space, on-site pharmacy and be staffed by critical care specialists.

These opportunities are so important for young people giving them a chance to see what a real working construction site is like. It helped students understand the wide range of jobs available in the construction industry, which they could experience and imagine while walking around the site.

Thank you to Rowan Todd. and all the Willmott Dixon team that helped organise and run the site visits.

Thank you to Oliver Kneale and all the VINCI Building UK team that helped organise and run the site visits.

We appreciate your support greatly!

Good luck to all Primary students starting their SAT’s , and to Y11 Secondary starting their GCSE’s tomorrow
You got this!

We wanted to say well done to one of our former BLBW Ambassadors, Sophie from Sir Thomas Wharton Academy and also to Ava for both being fabulous 👏🏻

Ava and Sophie each created and delivered impressive manifestos and speeches at last night’s Youth Council Conference in order to gain votes for election. 🗳

We are thrilled to announce that both students were not only successful, but each secured two significant positions.

Ava has been elected as Vice Chair of Doncaster Youth Council and will also serve as a South Yorkshire Youth Combined Authority Representative.

Sophie has also been elected as a South Yorkshire Youth Combined Authority Representative and will take on the role of Chair of the Doncaster Youth Council Steering Group.

Both students have shown unwavering dedication and commitment throughout this process, and these achievements are thoroughly deserved! We are incredibly proud of them and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in their new roles as they continue to work with youth authorities within the locality!