Key Stage 4 & 5
Why schools need employability support now more than ever
The employment market has drastically changed post-pandemic. Now, more than ever, young people and their teachers need a better understanding of business, how the green agenda is shaping the world of work, and employability skills.
Post-pandemic, research suggests schools are also finding bridging this gap a greater challenge, as discussed in the OECD handbook Lessons for Education from COVID-19 and the Government publication Education recovery in schools. Engineering UK stated in their report Securing the future: STEM careers provision in schools and colleges in England that 76% of STEM teachers and career leaders say it has become more difficult to secure meaningful engagement with employers.
On top of this, young people are grappling with addressing the climate emergency during a cost of living crisis. This is widening the gap in access to opportunities.
Growing skills for a green future
The climate emergency is shaping a rapid boom in the green jobs market. An issue for the transport and engineering sectors is securing the skills needed to build a sustainable future and tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
Employers need young people to have the skills to fill emerging roles in this priority sector. These skills are often referred to as ‘green skills’ or ‘21st century skills’. These can be distilled into the 4Cs:
creativity
collaboration
communication
critical thinking
Investment into the recruitment of diverse, skilled young people into green jobs is essential if London and the UK are to achieve our sustainability goals. This includes the Mayor of London’s goals to make the capital carbon neutral by 2030 and ensure that 80% of journeys in the city are made by active travel or public transport.
Action research case studies
During 2022, London Transport Museum delivered three action research projects in partnership with secondary schools and businesses. These aimed to better support youth employment in the context of a growing green economy.
Below are case studies from each of these projects.
Green Skills Hackathon | Virtual Air Quality Challenge | Inspire Engineering Careers
Green Skills Hackathon
The Green Skills Hackathon took place at London Transport Museum on 17 October 2022. It was developed with 17 students from Uxbridge High who took part in workshops with Museum staff and partners to design and organise the event. This told us what students would enjoy, and what concerned them most about future sustainability and employability. In addition to shaping the workshops and activities, students also designed a social media takeover for the day.
The event enabled students to practice and develop their employability. Students developed an understanding of business responsibilities and challenges and opportunities in relation to environmental sustainability. The solution focus of the businesses taking part was inspiring for students. The Hackathon also led to a clear development in understanding of terms such as green skills and green literacy, with these terms embedded in activities and programming.
Impact
The Hackathon reached 142 students and involved 20 schools, six corporate partners, 39 business employees and 518 hours of participation
Over 92% of students, 100% of teachers and 86% of corporate partners agreed the Hackathon increased student understanding about how the drive for environmental sustainability is shaping businesses, and the skills they need
88% of students agreed or strongly agreed that a key outcome of the Green Skills Hackathon was to de-jargonise climate terminology, increasing their understanding and confidence
100% of the Uxbridge High students involved in the Hackathon felt that they had improved their employability skills, and 100% felt that these skills would contribute to their future employment
Employer stands were one of the most successful elements of the event, offering scaffolded and facilitated activities and the opportunity for two-way conversations
The experience was eye opening for pupils with regard to a wide range of sustainability related roles, and improved understanding of employers’ desire to hire people who can help innovate and solve complex environmental challenges
The employees are from different backgrounds and the diversity is amazing. I’m proud to be part of this event
I was able to learn/understand company’s need for people skilled in many different sectors to help with sustainable change
Virtual Air Quality Challenge
London Transport Museum’s Virtual Air Quality Challenge was a complementary programme running alongside the Hackathon. It gave key stage 3, 4 and 5 students the chance to pitch their ideas and solutions to the urban air quality crisis to a panel of leading transport industry professionals from Abellio, Cubic Transportation Systems and TfL.
Students worked together to come up with their own solutions to improve the air quality of their local transport network. Industry experts looked for evidence-based ideas and solutions, offered advice, feedback and guidance to the students, and answered questions about green skills and transport careers.
The Virtual Air Quality Challenge offered students meaningful encounters with employers, creating connections between curriculum learning and career opportunities. Students gained practical experience in problem solving, design thinking, teamwork and communication.
We have since arranged opportunities for the three winning schools to experience the world of work with Global, TEDI London and Abellio.
Impact
When asked, students agreed that participation in the Air Quality Challenge contributed to help them gain future employment and demonstrate their employability skills to a future employer.
I think the pitching presentation format of the challenge works well and is something that students can quote on their transcripts and CVs. I really like the STEM Ambassadors’ feedback and the fact that they were speaking more than we were for the most part. I think that’s really valuable for the students
Inspire Engineering Careers
In 2022 we partnered with 30 Year 10 students at Camden School for Girls to research how best to provide careers support to Key Stage 4 and 5 students. This Kusuma Trust-supported project produced a series of seven workshops that introduced students to exciting transport and engineering careers. It aimed to improve career readiness, enhance personal effectiveness, and positively impact progression into work or education.
During the seven workshops students interviewed engineers, explored our engineering collection and worked on a real-world brief. This created opportunities to get feedback on outcomes, develop their awareness of personal values and strengths, and visit a place of work. The project was supported by a working group of Museum staff, the school, and engineers from Transport for London, Cubic Transportation Systems and Telent, ensuring that each element of the programme was well informed.
In total, 10% of students taking part in the Inspire Engineering Careers programme were offered a work experience opportunity at one of our corporate partners. This included four work experience placements with Transport for London.
Teachers commented that these placements had an overwhelmingly positive impact on students. One teacher remarked on the increase in their students’ confidence and motivation going into Year 11.
The Museum began a second iteration of Inspire Engineering Careers from February 2023, and progression routes again have been strong: before the programme only 9% of students said they were doing something for their future career, rising to 69% following the programme.
Impact
Students’ interest in engineering and transport careers increased from 12% to 40% after the project
Students said that interviewing engineers and visiting our Museum Depot in Acton had the greatest impact on improving their interest in an engineering career
A values-based approach to discussing careers had particular impact, with students finding this approach reassuring and effective for goal setting
The students commented that the most important thing that they learnt from the project were personal effectiveness skills, with public speaking, presenting and communication highlighted as the most significant
100% of the students taking part identified specific next steps they are taking towards a future career, from writing a CV to finding out more information on apprenticeships
Some students also commented on a shift in their mindsets, saying they felt more positive and more confident sharing ideas
Teachers commented that ‘without reservation’ the objectives were met, but had recommendations for changes that would better suit how they could deliver it as a school
I was able to learn new life skills that will help me in the future
Talking to professionals to understand the reality of engineering, and the pros and cons
I enjoyed the friendliness and sense of community, also the open and hands-on approach taken
Related content
Our Inspire Engineering sessions introduce secondary school students to real-world engineering concepts and engineers.
The future of our city - and our world - is all in the air. Our Climate Crossroads programme imagines what the future looks like and inspires our visitors and partners to take action. Discover our green-themed activities, events, stories and objects from our collection.
Bring the world and history of transport to life through adventure and imagination for Key Stage 1 pupils.
Key Stage 2 students can apply skills such as communication, teamwork, empathy and resilience in one of our hands-on workshops which explore how we travel around London and who helps us to do that.
Our Key Stage 3 sustainability-inspired sessions give students a chance to meet engineers, undertake challenges and gain an insight into the world of work.
Find the information you need to plan and book your visit to London Transport Museum in Covent Garden or the London Transport Museum Depot in Acton, west London.
