Barnsley pupils' careers challenge overcomes gender barriers

REMAKING Barnsley and Remaking Learning have at their heart the regeneration of the borough. Construction and engineering are vital to the success of the whole programme.

The Promoting Positive Aspirations (PPA) Challenge encourages young people of both sexes to look at careers that are not traditional to their usual area of interest. It is important for girls to consider a career in construction and engineering, particularly when considering the size and future growth rate of this sector as women can bring an extra dimension.

Similarly, the health sector represent a large proportion of careers opportunities available to young people in Barnsley. The NHS is the third biggest employer in the world, with some 70 professions and needs men as much as women. Many roles such as nursing have traditionally been undertaken by women and the PPA Challenge targeted boys to look at the array of careers in health.

Since last September 97 pupils from Darton, Kirk Balk, Royston and Penistone Grammar schools have taken part in Barnsley Council's Promoting Positive Aspirations Challenge.

The project generated a great deal of interest when presented to schools, and it was encouraging that lots of Year 9 girls were interested in exploring possibilities in construction and engineering. The number of Year 9 boys interested in careers in health also exceeded targets. The project generated a great deal of interest from parents as it provided the opportunity to discuss career opportunities with their sons and daughters.

Raising aspirations to explore higher level careers and challenge stereotypes was achieved through visits, activities and hands-on sessions to Huddersfield, Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam universities and Barnsley College and other organisations such as Barnsley Hospice and a Bramalls Construction building site. Pupils had opportunities to meet gender role-models, undergraduates, graduates and professionals and visit real working environments.

Boys and girls worked together to share knowledge through an ambitious project for the girls to plan and build a scale model bungalow for use by adults with a disability, based on the 'expert' knowledge acquired by the boys on planning for disability.

A spokesperson from one participating school said: "The project has been a real success, giving pupils a real insight into the exciting and rewarding careers in these areas. The events have been enjoyable with the pupils interacting with each other during the activities."

Cllr Linda Burgess, Cabinet spokesperson for Children's Services, said: "I am really pleased to see the work that Barnsley Council is promoting to enable boys and girls to be aware of career opportunities in non-traditional areas."

ENDS

Issued by Kevin Smith, Press Office, Tel: (01226) 773442
Email: kevinsmith@barnsley.gov.uk