The Whole Package

This December, Platform worked with Pershore College to deliver a comprehensive package related to the railways….and had lots of fun along the way!

Prior to delivery, Emile from the Platform team met with the job coaches from Pershore College (which is part of Warwickshire College) to understand more about their learners; to find out what the job coaches wanted to gain from working with Platform; and to understand the different needs of their students. Following this, a package was agreed upon which aimed – over the course of two days – to help students develop independent travel skills, whilst opening them up to the rail industry as an employer.

On the first delivery day, Emilie went into the college to share a pre-travel workshop with the students. This focused on rail safety, but also on confidence to travel and any safety considerations were presented alongside information around what was there to mitigate safety hazards. The students took part in a pre and post workshop quiz, carried out through Plickers, and had plenty of opportunity to share their own thoughts around scenarios. Some of the students were even keen to delve into Platform’s travelling wardrobe and try on different uniforms (which was great prep for the careers workshop that was to follow).

A few days later, the Platform team, along with a GWR accessibility mentor, met the students and their teachers at Pershore station. This was a great chance to put their learning into practice, using the Help Point to find out when the train would be coming, and having some discussions around how to use the information boards at the station. The group then boarded a GWR train to Worcester Foregate Street.

On arrival in Worcester, the students walked to The Pod at Crowngate Shopping Centre where they took part in a Careers in Rail workshop, delivered by the Platform team. The workshop focused on unexpected careers in the rail industry, as well apprenticeships and entry level jobs. There were a range of tasks including learning some of the key terminology used in job adverts, exploring 10 specific job roles via an interactive quiz, and doing a skill priority task for different jobs.

Students then had lunch at The Pod, before heading back to Worcester Foregate Street and doing some further familiarisation, specifically looking at how information boards can be used.

Becky Williams, a job coach from Pershore College, said: “Emilie and Imogen were fabulous. The session was pitched at the right level for students and planning in preparation for the safety talk and session ensured this. Platform rail made offering students a trip opportunity accessible due to the free cost and the effective communication they established with myself and the other job coaches. Students noted the development in their confidence following the trip. I will be recommending Platform’s services to my colleagues.”

Emilie Dawson, Platform’s Learning Development Manager, said: “We loved working with the students from Pershore College. Our scheme isn’t just about rail safety, but about confidence to travel too, and I am delighted students noted a development in their confidence after the trip. Combining this with a railway career workshop worked really well and I hope we inspired some of the students to join this exciting industry.”

As always, a huge thank you to GWR for providing complimentary travel for rail education purposes, and to Worcester Civic Society for providing a free venue. This allowed the team to deliver the package at no cost to the college.