Mini MBA programme gives TIGHS pupils innovative introduction to world of work

July 2018

A group of Year 12 pupils have ‘graduated’ with a Mini MBA qualification that saw them hone their business and research skills on work experience projects with major local employers.

18 TIGHS pupils spent a week working within local businesses on research projects that would provide their employers with solutions to real-life business challenges.

The Mini MBA is an innovative research work experience programme that focuses on the skills, experience and qualifications required by leading employers and prestigious universities. Students gain the expertise and opportunities of work experience with the added advantage of boosting their academic skills through an individual research project connected to their career interests.

After a successful pilot in 2017, this year’s Mini MBA programme has involved enhanced placements. Blackburn with Darwen Council, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, and University of Central Lancashire have all welcomed TIGHS pupils temporarily into their workforce.

Pupils first spent two intensive days at UCLan in lectures and seminars that helped prepare them for their placements. Sessions in people performance and leadership set them on course for successful teamworking with colleagues.

On placement with Blackburn with Darwen Council, a team of pupils worked together on a research project into employment opportunities for females within South Asian communities in Blackburn through providing healthy eating fast food options. Pupils working with UCLan supported the preparation and management of the Science Festival which took place last week, and the placement at Lancashire Enterprise Partnership involved undertaking research on marketing strategies to promote apprenticeships to college students.

The Mini MBA programme was devised by Mo Isap, local businessman, Enterprise Adviser with the Enterprise Adviser Network and Star Academies trustee, together with the University of Central Lancashire, TIGHS and Inspira who deliver the Enterprise Adviser Network in Lancashire.

Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, Director of the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, said:

“It was a delight to support Tauheedul Girls with the Mini MBA programme. The results of engaging pupils with employers was evident in the presentations given by the pupils at the celebration event – in terms of employability skills, aspirations and confidence. The Lancashire Enterprise Adviser Network, which has supported Star Academies to develop their approach to careers and enterprise, aims to boost aspiration and enable informed choice about next steps. Star has embraced the network and integrated employer encounters throughout the school journey – combining academic excellence with employability and aspiration.  A role model for Lancashire!”

Kay Vaughan, Inspira’s Enterprise Co-Ordinator, said:

“To see this mini MBA become an established part of the curriculum has been amazing. This programme reflects the vision, drive and partnerships we are looking for within the Enterprise Adviser Network.”

Bashira Patel, our Director of Learning: Futures, commented:

“The Mini MBA programme is a fantastic way to prepare our pupils for the world of work. They get first-hand knowledge and insight into what happens in the boardrooms of major organisations in Lancashire while liaising with senior figures within these organisations. After working on an individual research project, they present their findings to the senior management.

“They gain such valuable experience on real-life tasks and we are so grateful to the businesses who have supported pupils during their placements.”

TIGHS congratulates the following Year 12 pupils on completing the Mini MBA:

Amirah Chati completed her Mini MBA work placement at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. She said:

“The mini MBA project has changed my perspective of business: no longer is it a closed off, unattainable dream but an achievable goal. Learning to write a real life business case, engaging in research skills and participating in executive meetings have left me excited for what I now aspire to do in the future.”

A presentation for the pupils who completed the Mini MBA took place during our Careers Fair and Aspirations Day, an event which aimed to provide careers guidance and inspiration to pupils in Years 10 and 12.

The event, held on Thursday 5 July, brought together pupils who are currently planning their next steps with a number of inspirational figures from the world of work.

Keynote speakers included Claudia Harris, CEO of the Careers & Enterprise Company, Noha Khalil Amin, Talk Talk’s Information Security Awareness Manager, and Melissa Conlon, Commercial Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at the University of Sheffield.

The event also offered TIGHS pupils leadership inspiration, and workshops aimed to develop employability skills, awareness of STEM degree courses, and provide an insight into applications to the University of Oxford.

Added By: Tauheedul Girls | Date Added: 16th Jul 2018 | Posted In: Latest News