CHALLENGES faced by young people entering into employment beyond school were being discussed at a round table event at WMG Academy with the West Midlands Mayor.
The discussion was chaired by Andy Dillow, chief operating officer at Springpod, with input from industry representatives from the West Midlands Combined Authority and four current T-Level students – Grace Palmer, Millee Sondh, Oscar Mosley, and Ethan John – alongside two accomplished Alumni: Samuel Austin, now working at Galldris, and Edward Dunster from Vanguard Sustainable Transport.
The conversation centered on questions such as What do young people need to make the transition from school to the workplace? and What are the challenges young people feel that they face from leaving school to gaining an apprenticeship?
The event was marked by contributions from the students, who articulated their ambitions for the future, and the alumni, who shared compelling stories of how WMG Academy Solihull played a crucial role in their journey towards securing apprenticeships.
Mr Parker was also given a tour of the Solihull Academy, guided by student leaders.
This provided an opportunity for the Mayor to engage directly with students, learning about their current projects, aspirations, and the skills they are developing through the academy’s unique educational approach.
Claire Morris, associate principal, said: “At WMG Academy Solihull, we are incredibly proud to provide a platform where young people can speak confidently about their futures and demonstrate the skills they are developing through our business-like, business led approach.
“Watching our students and Alumni engage so meaningfully with the Mayor and industry leaders is a powerful reminder of the impact of real-world education. We are preparing the next generation not just for employment—but for innovation and leadership.”
Adding further value to the day, Springpod delivered a series of interactive career talks in the Academy’s atrium.
Daisy Rowan, Kurt Skillen, and Rose O’Donnell engaged with Key Stage 4 and 5 students throughout the day, providing essential career advice and showcasing Springpod’s virtual work-based learning experiences with leading employers and educational institutions.
Andrew Kyprianou, director of engineering at WMG Academy For Young Engineers, said: “It was truly inspiring to hear from our student’s when speaking about their future aspirations and from our Alumni who returned to the academy to share how WMG Academy for Young Engineers Solihull supported them in their Journey from school into an apprenticeship.”
