Prosperis brings the world of business to the classroom

March 6th 2008

Two directors at Prosperis Limited are helping to raise the aspirations of young people and prepare them for a career in business.

Beverley Webster OBE has been appointed chair of the advisory board at Sheffield’s Longley Park Sixth Form College, home of one of Yorkshire’s four Career Academies.

Beverley’s colleague Mark Chandler is also helping to shape the business leaders of the future; he has recently been appointed to the advisory board of the Career Academy at Garforth Community College.

Career Academies align education with practical business support, providing students aged 16-18 with real life skills and a better understanding of where their studies may take them, widening higher education opportunities and enhancing their career prospects.

Local businesses can get involved in a number of ways, whether by mentoring a student, presenting lectures, offering paid internships and hosting workplace visits.

Joining Beverley on the board at Longley Park are representatives from a range of organisations, including Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Viner Associates, Cadbury Bassett, Sheffield Hallam University, Yorkshire Bank, RBS, Irwin Mitchell, Pro Sheffield, and PKF Accountants.

Beverley said: “This is a fantastic initiative as it gives students the chance to access inspiring mentors and then spend time with them in a real work environment.

“I have been incredibly impressed by the drive and determination of the young people I have interviewed. Despite many of them having faced tough personal challenges, they have not only achieved academically at GSCE level but have also taken part in a vast array of volunteer work including mentoring younger students with personal difficulties, charity work in Zambia, fund raising for Tsunami victims and training young children in basic First Aid. 

“I can honestly say that I would offer a work placement to any one of those I interviewed – they deserve every opportunity we can generate for them to make sensible career decisions and realise their personal goals.”