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

Employability Skills

Employability skills have been defined by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) after extensive consultation with its members. They are a set of attributes, skills and knowledge that all employees should possess to be effective in the workplace.

The Employability skills are:

1. Self-management – readiness to accept responsibility, flexibility, resilience, self-starting, appropriate assertiveness, time management, readiness to improve own performance based on feedback/reflective learning.

2. Teamworking – respecting others, co-operating, negotiating/persuading, contributing to discussions, and awareness of interdependence with others.

3. Problem solving – analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

4. Business and customer awareness – basic understanding of the key drivers for business success – including the importance of innovation and taking calculated risks – and the need to provide customer satisfaction and build customer loyalty.

5. Communication and literacy – application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy - including listening and questioning.

6. Application of numeracy – manipulation of numbers, general mathematical awareness and its application in practical contexts (e.g. measuring, weighing, estimating and applying formulae).

7. Application of information technology – basic IT skills, including familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, file management and use of internet search engines.

Underpinning all these attributes, the key foundation, must be a positive attitude: a 'can-do' approach, a readiness to take part and contribute, openness to new ideas and a drive to make these happen.