Over the past few weeks we have been working with a group of young people on a very exciting project, Changing Futures.

Starting in September 2012 Changing Futures, part of Get Ahead programme,  is a 12 week course run and developed at Mahdlo and funded by Warburton’s.  We aim to prepare young people for the workplace by equipping them with new skills and helping them to develop their existing skills through a range of  activities and challenges.  To showcase the range of opportunities that are available in Oldham, we have been working with our Founder Patrons and have planned a series of workplace visits and talks.  We are now 4 weeks in and have had lots of fun and shared new experiences.  Don’t forget to come back each week and see what the group have been up to. we have lots more planned.

Week 1

The team were treated to the full tour of Mahdlo and met with the programme coordinator Ste Hardy and youth worker Gail McPhillips before getting stuck into a communication skills workshop.   Gail commented “we have a really great group and I am looking forward to working with them over the next few months”

Week 2

The team put their new skills into action in our sports hall and took on the ‘blind fold challenge:’ where the teams worked together to guide each other around a course whilst blind folded, and the giant shoe lace.  This challenge had the team stumped as they had to tie a giant shoe lace without letting go of the rope.  

“It was impossible, it was really hard but so much fun, I have never done anything like this before.”

Week 3

This week the team visited Founder Patron, OMC Ford on Manchester Street, where MD Robin Eglin gave the group a guided tour of the showroom. body shop and service department.  OMC was Founded in Oldham over 100 years ago, OMC is a family run business that prides itself on customer service and supporting the local community.

The Changing futures Group meet OMC Managing Director Robin Eglin.

“It was fascinating seeing how the business works, the visit really highlighted  the range of skills that are needed within one organisation.” 

On Friday 5th October the group were invited to attend the first Mahdlo networking breakfast, with guest speaker James Timpson OBE, where they gained a real insight into the world of high street business and got to meet other local business leaders.  For most of the group, this was their first experience of business networking and they put all their newly developed skills to the test.  One of the group asked James Timpson if he had any job vacancies and managed to get his personal email address!!

 Week 4

After meeting at Mahdlo, the group hit the road and headed for another of our Founder Patron businesses, Kitbag.  Based in Middleton, Kitbag is one of Europe’s leading online sports retailers which sells official merchandise for clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona to name only a few.

The Changing Futures and Kitbag team.

The group were treated to a tour of the vast warehouse, the photography department where they were given the opportunity to produce marketing for an item to be featured on the Kitbag website  click here to see what they produced.  They then headed off to the boardroom to meet with Chris, Sheryl and David from Kitbag to hear more about what it is like work there and with some of the most famous clubs in the world.

When asked about what they look in their team by Tom, David Hague Kitbag’s operations Manager told us “I tend to employ people based on their attitude. If they’re willing to make the effort then that’s what’s most important to me.”

Week 5

This week the team have been learning about responsible, appropriate and acceptable behaviour in the workplace.  They reflected on their visits to OMC and Kitbag and looked at how behaviours impact upon a business.

After a serious hour or so, the team then looked at starting a business and the key components that were needed identifying planning, budgeting, market research and leadership. The afternoon was full of ideas and creativity and by the end of the day ‘Choc and Shake’ was launched.  This sees our changing Futures team run their very own business right here in Mahdlo.  Through donated produce from our charity partner Sainsbury’s Oldham, the team are creating their own shakes and other refreshments, selling them onto our members during Senior Zone sessions.

Week 6

The group have successfully been running Choc and Shake, during our Senior Zone sessions and it has been going down a treat. this week saw even more surprises as OnSide CEO Jerry Glover dropped in for a chat.  With over 30 years experience as a youth worker Jerry has delivered more enterprise projects than we want to mention!!! It was a great opportunity for the group to learn from Jerry’s experiences and pick up some hints and tips along the way.  Don’t forget to come back next week and find out what the group have been up to!

Week 7

This week, the team visited Patterson & Rothwell, who showed them the workings of a busy manufacturing company.  The group saw everything from headrests of Mercedes cars and GU pots to large flower pots and even components of gas detection systems for the MOD being made!  They met Amanda who spoke to them about everything to do with HR from filling out application forms, writing CV’s and preparing for interviews to what companies look out for when taking on new staff and examples of poor interviews that she has seen.  The group had a great time and came back full of enthusiasm.

Week 8

Today on our programme the group met Tom Coogan, who spent the afternoon with them.   Having stared out in the construction industry at a young age he gave the group a real insight The Casey Group.

Tom with James and Andrew.

He spoke about:

• His personal career journey
• How he links people with opportunities for personal development
• How the Casey Group give their employees opportunities to increase their knowledge and experience through training courses
• Top tips for interviews, everything from preparation to giving the right impression and the willingness to learn
• The benefits of working for the Casey Group

James told us
“We would like to say a massive “Thank You” to Tom for making the time to come and meet us and to give us the opportunity to learn about The Casey Group.”