A 33-strong team from the gas and electricity company's Hinckley offices in Brick Kiln Street joined volunteers from other local businesses to help the teenagers hone their interviewing skills at John Cleveland College in Hinckley. The two-day 'Interview Techniques' session – the biggest ever organised by business and community charity Leicestershire Cares – saw 500 pupils being put through their paces.
The sessions, held last week, won the thumbs up from students. 'It's a great experience and will help you loads,' commented one, while another student said: 'It has given me the confidence to attend other interviews without worrying.'
Assistant Dispatch Engineer Chris Mays, who co-ordinated the National Grid volunteers, said: 'This is the largest number of volunteers we have ever fielded for the interview techniques sessions. The positive feedback from the pupils really makes it worthwhile and it is very rewarding to be able to pass on tips and techniques for successful interviews and to see how that advice is appreciated.'
Rachel Marshall, Associate Senior Leader at John Cleveland College, said: 'These interview sessions are a positive experience to prepare our Year 11 students for the future. Knowing how to do well in an interview is so important in life. That first interview can be a make or break time for so many young people. It is incredibly helpful to have industry volunteers like National Grid to give our students the opportunity to shine at interviews. Our students performed extremely well and were great ambassadors for JCC in the local community. '
Leicestershire Cares Education co-ordinator Gail Brown said: 'Over the years we have helped tens of thousands of pupils develop their literacy, numeracy and employability skills. The life blood of what we do are our volunteers – people like Robert, and companies like National Grid, who fully support our aims. But we need even more volunteers and companies to join us in giving young people a fighting chance of realising their hopes and ambitions.'
The Interview Technique sessions run interviewees through typical questions they might face, offer constructive feedback and – most importantly – boost confidence levels before the real thing. For many pupils it's the first time they have faced an interview.
Leicestershire Cares brings businesses and communities together, for the benefit of all, through employee volunteering. It provides opportunities for companies looking to be more involved with the communities.
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Notes to editors - archive
National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world and was named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 by Business in the Community. This accolade acknowledges all of our efforts in getting involve with the things that really matter to us and to society. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.
In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.
National Grid in the UK:
- We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
- We own and operate the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
- Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 10.9 million homes and businesses
- We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
- National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry - 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).
- Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid. It undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.
Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at www.nationalgridconnecting.com
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