The Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge, taking place on Friday, November 20, will see children and young people run the show in the city. It is part of a national programme that is designed to give young people the opportunity to gain insight into the world of work and adult life. The programme is also an opportunity for businesses to benefit from creative thinking and ideas, as the youngsters who take part view the business with a fresh pair of eyes.
Among the businesses taking part are Gentoo, the University of Sunderland and National Glass Centre.
Gentoo will be welcoming students from Southwick Primary School to take part in the day’s work experience. As part of their day, the young people who take part will be challenged to design a bug hotel, paper windmills and fat balls as well as having the chance to learn more about climate change.
John Craggs, acting chief executive of Gentoo Group said: “We are really delighted to be supporting Takeover Day again this year. The day is designed to provide a fun but also hugely worthwhile experience for young people from across our city giving them the chance to understand what a day is like in the world of work.
“Takeover Challenge allows the young people to build confidence, understand what a work environment looks like and to model their behaviour from some of the people they spend their time with. It’s great to be involved.”
Last year over 44,000 children and 1,200 organisations took part in the initiative across England. While the event runs over one day, organisers of the initiative nationally are asking organisations to think about running other takeover activities any day and any time throughout the year.
Gary Hutchinson, chair of Sunderland Business Group, said that the engagement from local businesses was something he was particularly pleased to see.
He said: “Last year, Sunderland was recognised as a Super Ambassador for the Takeover Challenge, having involved more than 230 young people in the day, so it is great to see businesses here getting behind it again this year.
“Our businesses really are welcoming, accommodating and forward-thinking – as has been proven year-after-year with fantastic support for our Work Discovery Week, which also gives young people in the city the opportunity to learn valuable work and life skills.”
He added: “Sunderland has a fantastic business scene; a bright future with investment in the city standing at £1billion; and through participation in events and initiatives like these, a future skills pipeline that will enter work having had fantastic exposure to business environments. The future is definitely bright.”
Organisations interested in taking part must seek and organise their own event including, the planning of the day and future involvement, the recruitment of young people, consents and risk assessments. For more information, contact Jane Wheeler, participation and engagement lead at Sunderland City Council on 0191 561 7430 or email Jane.Wheeler@sunderland.gov.uk. Businesses interested in taking part can also visit http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/takeover-day-information-and-resources where they will be able to register their interest and get all the information and resources needed to plan the day.
