Don’t mock – these students are up to the job

STUDENTS so impressed employers at their mock interviews they were told they would have had a job if the scenario was real.

It was the first time that Whitworth Community High School has arranged mock interviews for Year 10 pupils to give them a taste of what they will face in the future.

Beth Richards, 14, and Chelsie Hughes both scored full marks and their respective interviewers remarked on how they were the best candidates of the day.

Beth, who would like to be a teacher, said: “I got an interview with The Transport Training Academy that teaches people how to drive lorries and although that is not what I want to do I learnt a lot and I was asked lots of different questions. One thing I was told to think about was having a back up plan if what I want to do doesn’t work out.”

On the feedback sheet Beth was commended for having an ‘excellent attitude’ and being a ‘motivated and mature young lady who will go far’.

Beth added: “I didn’t think I had done that well and I was nervous and so I am really happy with the good comments.”

She was also told that if she was interested in working for the company an application would be welcome.

Beth added the experience had made her feel more confident about real interviews.

Chelsie Hughes, 15, is determined to be a social worker and has already mapped out her future.

She was interviewed by Fabian Wallbank from the Department of Work and Pensions.

Chelsie said: “I have had interviews before and I know what I want to do because I want to be able to support and help other people who need it.

“I want to gain the qualifications so I can work with all people from pensioners to children and those with an addiction.

“Fabian and I got on quite well and I had prepared for the interview. I ●●At the Whitworth Community High school mock job interviews are, from left, Andy Hall from Anglo Recycling, Charlotte Ainsworth from Burnley College, Peter Boys from Boys Construction, Year 10 students Joe Reeve and Jessica Barrett, Penny Heys from Careers and Enterprise Company, Laura Grenaghan, the school careers advisor, Fabian Wallbank from Department for Work and Pensions and Mike Smith from the RAF brought in achievement postcards that I had received from school that week and my 100 per cent attendance record.

“I was more excited than nervous.”

She was told that if there had been a role for her she would have got the job.

The event was organised by the school’s Careers Advisor Laura Grenaghan in conjunction with Fabian and Penny Heys from the Careers and Enterprise Company.

The mock interviews will now become an annual school event.