The BPF Promotes Collaboration Between Industry and Schools via its Second Career Ambassador Training Session

At the end of June, the second BPF career ambassador training, led by Rachel Brickell from Cogent Skills, was a success. Seven enthusiastic ambassadors from Reagens Ltd, Broanmain, JSC Rotational Ltd, Berry Global, Bamberger Polymers, Owen Mumford and the BPF attended the session which demonstrated how to promote career opportunities within the plastic industry, create lesson plans to inspire the next generation and the best ways to engage with schools, teachers and parents. All attendees are now a Career Ambassador, Cogent SIP Ambassador and STEM Ambassador, expanding their network and the resources that are available to them. 

The training, which was free for members and non-members of the BPF, was designed to support companies with their outreach goals. Talking to students about careers in the plastics industry is an important way to inspire the next generation. Further, ambassadors on the day commented that it is rewarding to share your career and experience with the younger generation, often making you appreciate your own role more. The skills gap is a challenging but important topic to companies across the plastic industry and schemes such as this are an important way to show students the wide range of polymer jobs available.

Activities on the day included giving a speech on why they joined the industry, delivering a mock lesson and practising a pitch to teachers on why they would like to come into the school and educate the students.

Omar Davidson from the BPF showed the ambassadors the additional resources that are available, which can be found on the Polymer Zone section of the BPF website.

Feedback at the end of the session was very positive, with attendees stating that they were excited to put what they had learned into practice at career fairs and school events. From participating in the training, they realised the importance of interactive activities and stories.

The Career Ambassador programme is a great opportunity for your company to better engage with local schools and show the community what your business has to offer. It creates a new recruitment channel which could be a valuable way to meet your ESG goals. Anyone from the industry can become a career ambassador, you do not need to be a scientist or engineer. If you are interested in joining the next session, please email [email protected].