Year 10 pupils at Priesthorpe Secondary School have been able to achieve a new qualification thanks to a partnership between Leeds Rhinos Foundation and DigitalMe.
DigitalMe is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to equip young people with the skills and competencies they need to thrive in work and life. They use Mozilla Open Badges and work with teachers, charities and employers to create a new digital currency that recognises skills and talents.
The Open Badge Academy can be accessed on multiple platforms and students choose how they are marked and evidence their work, be it through a written document, an audio file or photograph and the badges they earn can be displayed on any websites that use the Open Badges Infrastructure,
such as LinkedIn, to enhance online CVs.
Leeds Rhinos Foundation are a registered provider of the Open Badge Academy and have been able to offer the students volunteering experience to demonstrate their employability skills.
At a recent Leeds Rhinos game, three Priesthorpe students volunteered with Leeds Rhinos Foundation to support them in their duties, enabling them to see the bigger picture behind the scenes of a game day, improve their teamwork, confidence and responsibility in a professional environment.
Events and Partnership support officer, Keiran Smith, who has worked with the pupils commented: “This is a great opportunity and introduction for young people entering into the world of employment.
The Open Badge Academy has introduced many pupils to career goals and preparation, and in particular the interview and CV writing sessions have proved to be of great benefit.”
The pupils have worked through several badges including: self-awareness, resilience, being driven, and being informed and John Turner, Business Director at Priesthorpe, said the Rhinos Open Badge Academy has been valuable for his students.
"Alongside the core academic studies, it's important that we prepare our students for their time after Priesthorpe and the world of work,” he said.
“Leeds Rhinos Foundation introduced them to some very real concepts around work, transferable skills and what employers are looking for. The online delivery, badges, and involvement of outside people from Leeds Rhinos Foundation made the programme relevant and engaging for the students."
To register your interest in being involved in the Leeds Rhinos Foundation Open Badge Academy contact Chris.Barr@leedsrhinosfoundation.org
What the pupils have said
"It made it more fun, the way they explained it, and practice doing interviews". – Jordan, Year 10
"We learnt some good skills that we will need, for example about doing a CV". – Hasan, Year 10
"It encouraged me to go and look at what you need, for the job you want." – Hasan, Year 10
"The task about CSR and Rhinos' Five Pillars and raising money was really good" – Jordan, Year 10"
"You learn a lot about the world of work and how it all works." – Hasan, Year 10
"It definitely makes you more confident, about what you need for work and how to do it". – Jordan, Year 10
"I had no idea what I wanted to do, but having done a CV and interview I think I can do anything. "It shows that you can be confident, put yourself out there and get what you want. In a workplace you can't be off or roll in late: you have to be there on time, and be dedicated." Faith, Year 10