Supporting the Next Generation Across Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

OCU has been delivering meaningful social value by supporting schools and colleges across Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. Through mock interviews, careers talks, and specialist training visits, we are helping to inspire and prepare the next generation for opportunities in engineering and construction.

In just one month, our teams dedicated 60 volunteering hours and provided one-to-one support to around 150 students, helping them gain practical skills, confidence, and insight as they explored the pathways ahead.

Inspiring the next generation

Our teams attended a Masterclass event at Sir William Borlase Grammar School in Marlow, delivering practical CV workshops and mock interviews to two groups of Year 11 students with aspirations in engineering. The students came prepared with both written and video CVs, as well as their own interview questions, for a session that offered tailored guidance to support their professional development.

We joined The Beaconsfield School’s Careers Day to conduct mock interviews with Year 11 students. Alongside interview practice, our team offered valuable insights into the industry, helping students make informed choices about their next steps.

At Chesham Grammar School, OCU delivered a careers session for Year 8 students, highlighting hands-on trade roles and professional routes such as degree apprenticeships as an alternative to university. The session saw students asking questions about the wide range of opportunities available within the sector.

On-site experience

We are pleased to be supporting T-Level students in gaining the vital on-site experience needed to complete their qualifications.

• Electrical students from Newbury College’s T-level course visited Thatcham training centre, where they explored switchgear and transformer technology first-hand.
  

• We sponsored the Building Ambition interview event at Buckinghamshire College, where we joined fellow contractors to conduct 50 interviews and offer career guidance.
  

Continuing Our Commitment

Whether it's inspiring careers, helping students prepare for job interviews, or guiding T-Level learners towards their qualifications, our teams have shown the real impact that collaboration between industry and education can deliver.

At OCU, we remain committed to supporting young people with the skills, insight and confidence they need to succeed, while ensuring our social value activities create lasting impact in the communities we serve.