Pupils on safari hunt taste of working life
STUDENTS from two Rochdale high schools attended a ‘workplace safari’ to gain an insight into the hospitality sector.
Greater Manchester Night Time Economy Adviser and co-creator of Parklife Festival, Sacha Lord, invited children from 10 schools in Greater Manchester on a ‘ Workplace Safari’ of the festival set while it is in build mode.
Year 10 pupils from Oulder Hill Academy and pupils from Redwood Secondary School, which caters for students with additional needs, were the Rochdale representatives on the trip.
The young people attending the tour were given the opportunity to find out what goes into putting on the largest Metropolitan festival in the UK, while also hearing from staff members ranging from sound and lighting engineers, catering workers and set design staff.
They were also invited to ask questions to find out about what qualifications are needed to enter the industry.
Sacha Lord, co-creator of Parklife and Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy Adviser, said: “Events such as Parklife don’t happen overnight.
“They take months of preparation, planning and hard work behind the scenes, and we have been excited to showcase this to the attendees today.
“These students may be the set designers, musicians or hospitality operators of the future, and after an extremely difficult few years for the industry, we hope today’s behind-thescenes access has provided an exciting and inspiring overview of what a career in events can look like.”
Sacha first launched Parklife back in 2010 at Platt Fields Park, with the likes of artists such as Snoop Dogg, Liam Gallagher and Skepta previously headlining.
The festival has since moved to Heaton Park and employs over 4,500 people across the weekend.
The Workplace Safari is part of the Meet Your Future project, a partnership which includes Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), The Careers & Enterprise Company and Bridgegm, to give young people workplace shadowing opportunities showcasing the amazing breadth of careers across Greater Manchester.
Councillor Eamonn O’brien, GMCA Lead for Young People, said: “Meet Your Future has been vital in bridging the gap between school and the workplace, helping connect young people in Greater Manchester to the different opportunities out there.
“We know the coronavirus crisis has been difficult for young people in our city-region and it is vital work experience and shadowing opportunities are back on track, to build ambitions on the types of careers available.
“It is fantastic Sacha was able to show that Parklife isn’t just all about the music but could also be a career opportunity for some of the young people attending the workshop today.”