Countec
Countect

Testimonials

  • "We had a very positive experience working with Countec, whose staff are friendly and always willing to help make the process as clear as po...
  • "What I see in these young people is hope. Today I met a lot of young people who were engaging, intelligent and bright" - Martin Brockleban...
  • ‘’The NHBC is very proud to be associated with Countec and the excellent work they do. The Fresh Minds Event was a fantastic opportunity for...
  • "I was greatly impressed with the confidence and interest of the students and their use of follow up questions. I hope when they come to th...
  • "I believe Primary WorkOut! has broadened the thinking of many of our pupils and hopefully raised aspirations in addition to providing a gr...
  • "I was amazed at how well my son managed being 'on stage' - totally out of his comfort zone and something he has struggled with very much in...
  • "Bright, curious, open, children" - Professor Malcolm Harper, formerly Cranfield University
  • "City Centre WorkOut! was great fun. I loved talking to the kids, so enthusiastic" - Natalie Wright, NHS Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
  • "It felt good to help young people and I was a lot more comfortable around them than I expected" - Paul Stagg, DHL
  • "Results at iPEC have improved considerably since June 2010, and using the DfE 2009/10 performance data for all UK Alt Ed, PRUs and Hospital...
  • "It was good for the pupils to be treated like an adult with respect. Thoroughly enjoyed by all and would definitely encourage it take plac...
  • "I learnt that what you dream of as a job is not always what you get" – Leona, Year 6 pupil, Oxley Park School.
  • "It’s wonderfully refreshing to put myself back in the innocent mind of a child – lots of laughter." – Amanda Smyth, Dominos Pizza.
  • "It was a definite eye opener for me into how today’s 14 year olds think. I was left with a very positive impression of the students" - Simo...
  • "I'm quite new to this kind of work in schools and wasn't sure how the pupils would react. it's been very enjoyable" - Andy Pennock, NHBC
  • “The overall communication has been excellent and a substantial improvement over previous years. As a school we have been very impressed an...
  • “The placements were well matched to the complexities that our students present and this enabled the placements to be successful” – Leigh Si...
  • “Countec have been fantastic at keeping the school informed on progress/issues. I cannot stress enough the benefit to our students” – Grace...
  • “You have to work hard for what you want” – Victoria Hardwick, Year 10 student, The Radcliffe School.
  • "Our teams enjoy communicating and interacting with the younger generation" - Walter Tyrer, HR Manager, John Lewis Partnership
  • "Work Experence gives our staff a great opportunity to learn about some of the latest trends with young people" - Walter Tyrer, HR Manager, ...
  • "Because our students were so well placed they went to work experience with positive attitudes and were able to shine. That’s all down to y...
  • ‘I learned a lot about my job! I was also interested in the students’ attitudes and it was a better impression than I was expecting’ – Clau...
  • ‘I enjoyed every minute. It helped me develop and get over my fear of standing up and speaking’ – David Wake, John Lewis Partnership.
  • "What's great about WorkOut! for our staff who participate is how energising it is" - Walter Tyrer, HR Manager, John Lewis Partnership
  • "At first I wasn't happy that my son had been referred to iPEC but now think it was the best thing that happened to him" - Ms. Moss, parent.
  • "Primary WorkOut! showed our Year 5-6 pupils the breadth of occupations in MK and you get more from work than just paying for your basic nee...
  • "Primary WorkOut! was a great opportunity for our pupils and teachers to ask questions and get feedback from the people who really do the wo...
  • “Countec staff have been very helpful, communicative and supportive of my son’s needs throughout, always responding in good time and being f...
  • "Doing the WorkOut! session was the most useful hour I've spent in a long time" - Karen Mason of Novalex Solicitors, www.novalex.co.uk
  • "I loved the WorkOut! session. Thank you whoever organised it." - Jacob Yeboah, Oxley Park Primary School pupil
  • "I wish I had this (Primary WorkOut!) when I was their age" - Paul Romans, SNO!zone
  • "The Countec facilitators were very effective" - Teacher, Oxley Park Primary School
  • "The best bit of Get That Job! was the student involvement in short-listing applicants" - Dhiraj Padhlar, Teaching Assistant, Leon School
  • "Our less able learners coped very well because there was great support from Countec staff" - Jon Burgess, Deputy Headteacher, Leon School
  • "The employer guests gave the same, consistent message about work and inspired our learners" - Jon Burgess, Deputy Head, Leon School
  • "It was great to find out how the young people think and see their enthusiasm" - Tabatha Beesley, Beesley & Sons Farm
  • "What I enjoyed most was the childrens' questions - made me remember why I love my job" - Paul Romans, SNO!Zone, Xscape
  • "Activities like this create so much enthusiasm and creativity and are vital for young people preparing for work" – Eric Coveney, Beardow Ad...
  • "I had so much fun doing the WorkOut! session" - Emi-Lu Daley, Frantic-UK Dance Company
  • “It was a pleasure to see children learning from people in the community, not teachers.” – David Harper, Headteacher, Heronsgate Primary Sch...
  • 'Students increase in maturity and engage in self-reflection' - Ofsted Jan 2011 about iPEC
  • "Lovely students...Count me in for next time!" - Helen Spary, Above And Beyond Events
  • "I learnt a lot from the students and the event helped me reflect on what I’ve done and where I am now." - Irene Beck, FCO Services.
  • "Really well organised. Countec staff and business people were great with the students." - Jayne Webster, Maths Teacher, Shenley Brook End
  • "Your team are great and I look forward to working with you and the employers all again." - Jon Burgess, Deputy Headteacher, Leon School.
  • "Our whole experience of Get That Job! was superb, for both students and staff. Amazing learning curve." - Barbara McGlory, White Spire Sch...
  • 'Our Careers and Work Experience arrangements were described by OFSTED as exceptional. Thank you, Countec!' - St. Paul's school
  • "I love what I do for a career and to be able to talk about it is just a bonus" - Emi-Lu Daley, Frantic-UK Dance Company
...read more

News

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Investors in Education Partners


Count Me In

Count Me In

A face-to-face campaign to engage more employers in education was launched at the end of November. From a stand outside Marks & Spencer’s in thecentre:mk, Countec staff approached members of the public for contacts with local businesses willing to host students for work experience or visit schools to answer student questions.

Michael Sandison, Countec’s Director of Employer Engagement, said: “We already work with nearly a thousand employers.  We know there are thousands more who can join us. We want everyone to take a role in getting young people ready for work – to be counted as part of Countec.”

Local employers are backing the campaign.  Mark Rockingham, manager of Apricot clothing store (pictured with Countec’s Arlindo Camacho), said:  “We get many benefits from hosting students on work experience including staff development and recruitment of new staff.  It works well for us.”

Countec’s Count Me In campaign coincides with an initiative by Citizens:MK, a newly formed alliance of community organisations, to increase the number of work placements and apprenticeships across the city.  Mousa Baraka, Citizens:MK organiser, said: “Our members have pledged to increase the number of work placements for young people by 500.  We are working closely with Countec to meet that goal.”

Student Says Sorry With Cake

The iPEC student knew it was wrong when he threw the... [Read More]

MK College host St Paul’s RC School 'Fresh Minds' students

MK College hosted 15 Year 9 St Paul’s RC School... [Read More]

St Pauls Catholic School students compete in 2012 Employability Olympics

On the 16th of March 2012, 80 Year 9 students from St... [Read More]

Lord Grey School students compete to 'Get That Job'

On Thursday 8 th March 2012, 16 Year 10 Lord Grey School... [Read More]

Simpson School welcomes business guests

On Thursday 22nd March 2012, Simpson School welcomed four... [Read More]

Falconhurst School welcomes guests from the world of work

On Thursday 29 th March 2012, Falconhurst School welcomed... [Read More]

iPEC Students Plan Sports Relief Mile

iPEC students are planning to raise money for the Sports... [Read More]

Lord Grey Student shines on Supported Work Experience Placement

As well as two-week work experiences, Countec also... [Read More]

Guests from the World of Work visit Brooklands Farm Primary School

On Friday 9 th of March 2012, Brooklands Farm Primary... [Read More]

MK Academy Student Excels At Work With Lynx

Waseema Razak, Year 10 student at MK... [Read More]

Orchard School Welcomes Business Guests

On Wednesday 29 th February 2012, Orchard School hosted 3... [Read More]

Supported Placement for Hazeley Student at MK Dons

As well as two-week work experiences, Countec also... [Read More]

Great Linford Primary School Welcomes Business Guests

On Wednesday 22nd February 2012, Great Linford Primary... [Read More]

First Career WorkOut! Session For A4E

On 14th February, social purpose company A4E... [Read More]

Queen Eleanor School welcomes guests from the World of Work

On Thursday 9 th February 2012, Queen Eleanor School... [Read More]

Ousedale Students Get That Job!

Year 11 students at Ousedale School took part in a 'Get... [Read More]

Wavendon Gate Primary welcomes guests from the World of Work

On Thursday 26th January 2012, Wavendon Gate... [Read More]

iPEC Students Visit Imperial War Museum

6 iPEC students enjoyed a successful visit to the Imperial... [Read More]

New Bradwell School Welcomes Business Guests

On Wednesday 18th January, New Bradwell School hosted... [Read More]

Ruby At Work

"I didn’t enjoy being a student at my mainstream... [Read More]

Working The World From Wolverton

For someone who works close to where he grew up, Keiron... [Read More]

Report Shows Careers Helped By Employers Visiting Schools

A 'Work Readiness' Survey conducted by Berkshire Education... [Read More]

Employers Wanted For iPEC Mock Interviews

iPEC is our personalised education centre for young... [Read More]

Hanslope Primary School enjoys local employers

On Wednesday 14th December, Hanslope... [Read More]

Emerson Valley School Welcomes Business Guests

On Tuesday 13th December, Emerson Valley School... [Read More]

Bishop Parker School enjoys local employers

On Thursday 8th December, Bishop Parker School hosted... [Read More]

Employability Skills Improving in MK

Recent research by Countec shows that employability skills... [Read More]

Government consultation, Dec 2011

Removing the statutory duty to deliver work related... [Read More]

iPEC Keeps Improving

iPEC achieved significant progress in various... [Read More]

Happy Christmas, Employer Heroes!

Countec staff have been out and about the city thanking... [Read More]

Corrie Thrives On Placement

Corrie Gibson,  iPEC  student who was... [Read More]

Student Dylan Praised For Employability

As well as two-week work experiences, Countec also... [Read More]

Bushfield School Welcomes Business Guests

On Tuesday 6th December, Bushfield School hosted... [Read More]

Fresh Minds Help NHBC – second successful pilot

A second pilot event took place on Tuesday 30 th November... [Read More]

Drayton Park School enjoys local employers

On Thursday 1st December, Drayton Park Primary... [Read More]

Fresh Minds - an exciting new initiative

Countec has trialed a new initiative called Fresh Minds... [Read More]

My Quietest Students Participated

WorkOut! has been extended to support GCSE... [Read More]

Shenley Brook End Student A Teen Temp

A Year 11 student from Shenley Brook End has secured a... [Read More]

Brooksward Welcomes Business Guests

On Tuesday 15th November, Brooksward Primary School hosted... [Read More]

A Few Steps From Pavement To Classroom

In September Paul Stagg (pictured), an employee with DHL... [Read More]

Bushfield School Pupils Enjoy City Centre WorkOut!

On 14th October, Year 5 pupils from Bushfield Middle... [Read More]

The University is Open to guests

The Open University recently demonstrated again that it... [Read More]

Walking To WorkOut!

Local employees faced up to tough questions from primary... [Read More]

First Term Primary WorkOut! Pilot Success

The results of the Summer 2011 pilot are as follows: Of... [Read More]

It Helped Me Learn About My Job!

"I enjoyed every minute," said David Wake from John... [Read More]

Radcliffe Students WorkOut! Local Guests

On 7th July, 26 Year 10 students grilled eight guests... [Read More]

iPEC Graduates Praised by MK Dons

26 young people have graduated from iPEC, the independent... [Read More]

Farewell Claire and Arlindo!

Due to cuts in public funding, Countec has refreshed... [Read More]

Ofsted Urges More Effort To Involve Students With Businesses

Ofsted has criticised the standard of business and... [Read More]

Pupils Quiz Guests in Primary WorkOut! at Oxley Park

Oxley Park Primary School held its first ever Primary... [Read More]

MP Launches Countec's New Website

Mark Lancaster MP visited city charity Countec, Milton... [Read More]

MK Businessman Gets Buzz Seeing Young People Achieve

 “There’s more to life than financial... [Read More]

People Are Our Most Important Asset

‘People are our most important asset’.... [Read More]

SWEEP Encore For Radcliffe Student

Radcliffe School student Shaun Fossey has made a good... [Read More]

Students v Staff Football Match

iPEC students recently took part in a football... [Read More]

Sweet Journey From Apprentice To Mayor

Mayor Debbie Brock is a champion of education business... [Read More]

Employability Olympics

Countec would like to offer a huge thank you to Mars... [Read More]

Ofsted Praises iPEC

iPEC has been judged by Ofsted to be meeting its aims... [Read More]

Lord Grey Student Success at iPEC Restart

iPEC delivers intensive ‘Restart’ programmes... [Read More]

DHL and iPEC Enjoy Neighbourhood Partnership

DHL and Countec are neighbours, situated next door to one... [Read More]

St. Paul’s School Students Enterprise Challenge

St. Paul’s RC School students competed in teams to... [Read More]

SWEEP to Apprenticeship

Student Dani Shaw of Lord Grey School has been on a... [Read More]

Denbigh Student Goes Global

While on Countec’s Equal Choices programme with... [Read More]

News

All news

Student Says Sorry With Cake

Student Says Sorry With Cake The iPEC student knew it was wrong when he threw the stone.  "I

[More]

MK College host St Paul’s RC School 'Fresh Minds' students

MK College host St Paul’s RC School 'Fresh Minds' students MK College hosted 15 Year 9 St Paul’s RC School students as part of the

[More]

Ousedale Student a real asset on his Supported Work Experience Placement

Ousedale Student a real asset on his Supported Work Experience Placement As well as two-week work experiences, Countec also develops the employability

[More]

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