CMI Academy launched to involve young people in local businesses
Friday 11th November 2011
A new initiative has been launched by The Jersey Branch of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and Highlands College to support young people's involvement in local businesses. Four students from Grainville School and Le Rocquier School who are currently studying Business Studies at GCSE level, have been given this unique opportunity to be part of the first CMI Academy. The CMI Academy will give these students a chance to gain an insight into local businesses and expand their Business Studies learning by meeting professionals as well as visiting local businesses. Furthermore, the CMI Academy will also give the students the chance to undertake a CMI management qualification at Highlands College at the age of 18 after completing their chosen post-16 education of A Levels or BTEC courses.
The successful students, Melanie Felix and Courtney O'Connor from Grainville School and Sara Kelly and Sophie Dines from Le Rocquier School were selected after the CMI interviewed 20 Business Studies students for the four places. These students were chosen for the confidence they displayed during the interview and their interest in Jersey businesses both now and in the future.
Jackie Barrette, of People Performance Consulting Ltd and a board member of the CMI explains why this initiative has been set up: "One of our main goals is to ensure we educate younger generations in order that we can contribute to developing strong people management skills and also strengthen our local skills base".
Miss Carroll, Business Studies teacher at Grainville School, highlights why this is such an exciting opportunity for her students: "The CMI academy is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain experience with local businesses to assist with their learning and their employment skills”.
The four students met with CMI board members along with their Business studies teachers to discuss the future plans for the first year of the academy and had their first CMI Academy experience when the students attended and assisted at the CMI Annual Conference at the Royal Yacht Hotel on Thursday 10th November. Courtney O’Connor, a year 11 Student from Grainville School explains why she was so keen to be part of the CMI Academy: “I really enjoy Business studies and I thought the Academy would help me gain experience within different business organisations, improve my skills and give me an opportunity to be introduced to superior business managers. I also chose to apply to the CMI academy to add to my qualifications helping to make me more employable; it seems like an amazing opportunity”. Melanie Felix, the other Grainville School student selected added: “The CMI Academy is a great opportunity which I think will help me improve my skills and make me more employable because I will be gaining an extra qualification as well as meeting new people”.
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