Local business people are being invited to attend a unique initiative aimed at bringing the business community of Bath together with students in a range of new networking forums.
The events are to be held at St Mark’s Church of England School on Thursday 23rd January and The New Sixth in Odd Down, Bath on Friday 7th February from 8:00 – 9:50am and has been organised by the schools’ Business Team.
Paula Hawkins, Executive Marketing Manager for St Mark’s, St Gregory’s and The New Sixth, said: “The idea behind the Business Breakfasts is for students and local business people to engage in a series of events together that can hopefully add value to their education and working lives.
“Local businesses and groups expressed a real desire to share experiences and expertise and work together for the benefit of the our students and community.”
“We want to support our local businesses and also offer a service to them. The Business Breakfasts are an opportunity for members of the Bath business community to come along, share ideas, talk with like-minded people and raise the profile of their business. There will be opportunities to make new contacts and develop initiatives that will enhance businesses and school life.”
Guest speakers for the event at St Mark’s on Thursday 23rd January are Richard Tidswell of Business Doctors and Louise Ladbrooke of Business West. They will be looking at ways in which businesses can start the new year with a renewed vigour and focus for the year ahead.
In February, delegates and sixth form students will be joined by Sam Holliday, former editor of The Bath Chronicle and now, Regional Development Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses.
There is no charge for the events and all members of the local business community are welcome to attend.
“As schools with a new joint sixth form, we already have very good relationships with many local businesses and community groups. We would like to expand on this and create a positive and enriching business environment that is not only supportive and purposeful but one that members can enjoy and improve their business prospects.”
Helping to organise the event, Andrew Jackson, International and Community Co-ordinator at St Gregory’s, is positive about the impact that building new business relationships can have on employers and prospective employees in the area.
“Both schools currently work with a number of businesses locally and have established very positive and mutually beneficial ways of working. We understand that employers need a future workforce that is well prepared, has good experiences of work and can operate efficiently and effectively in their businesses.
“As a school, it is our job to make sure that students are fully prepared not only academically, but practically; equipping them with essential work-skills that cannot be learned in the classroom alone.”
“We hope that this new initiative will be able to further enhance existing relationships with employers whilst developing new ones, ensuring that what we do at school today is what employers want and need tomorrow. The skills and experiences that our students will gain from events like this is invaluable and we hope that businesses in Bath will also benefit in many ways.”
“I would encourage anyone operating or starting up a new business in Bath to get in touch, as it will be a great way to make new contacts, share ideas and promote your business.”
For further information, or to book your place, please telephone Paula Hawkins or Emily Oliver on 01225 312661. Places are free, but limited.
