A joint initiative between Bouygues UK and Cardiff Blues Community Foundation to engage secondary school pupils in career discussions was launched recently at Pencoedtre High School in Barry.
Cardiff Blues Tackle scheme is a sport engagement programme linked with essential and life skills workshops aimed to engage, inspire and motivate young people through an alternative curriculum experience.
The eight-week course aims to engage pupils from years 8 to 10 initially, through workshops and practical sessions geared towards career aspirations and higher education avenues. It aims to give children the chance to develop their employability skills and develop prospects by learning through rugby values such as teamwork, respect, discipline and passion.
Pupils will also work towards gaining an Agored Cymru award delivered through Cardiff and Vale College and, if Covid-19 rules allow, will be able visit to Cardiff Arms Park, where they will learn about jobs at Bouygues UK and Cardiff Blues.
Bouygues UK is currently building the new Pencoedtre High School. Pupils can look forward to new sporting facilities including a four-court sports hall, an all-weather hockey floodlit pitch and grass rugby and football pitches.
Alison Howe, Social Value Advisor at Bouygues UK who is working at the Pencoedtre High School site, said: “Bouygues UK is really pleased to be joining forces with the Cardiff Blues Community Foundation. It’s a very exciting initiative for us and one that we are really pleased to be bringing to Pencoedtre High school.
“The programme of fun-filled events and workshops provided by Cardiff Blues has a solid track record and we look forward to working together to help enhance the prospects of children in Pencoedtre High.”
Nadine Griffiths, Cardiff Blues Community Foundation Director, said: “We are both thrilled and excited to kick off this new programme in partnership with Bouygues UK in Pencoedtre High School, which will have a really positive impact on pupils. Now more than ever with the Covid-19 pandemic, physical activity and mental health are significant concerns for young people but we can all work together to inspire, engage and improve opportunities for all within our communities.
“The TACKLE programme has been designed to help young people become more active, to build confidence and learn new skills while gaining qualifications to help build a positive future. As part of the programme former Cardiff Blues professional player and Junior All Black Nick Williams, will act as a mentor to the pupils. Nick is a fantastic role model and is very much looking forward to meeting and working with the pupils, listening to what they have to say and what they want to achieve, so we can all make a positive difference together. We cannot wait to get this programme up and running.”
Mike Baker, assistant head at Pencoedtre High School said: “We are delighted to be working with Cardiff Blues again, given the success of their Raising Aspirations programme that we participated in last year.
“The Tackle programme is a considerate and well thought out means of driving achievement in schools and our pupils can’t wait to get started. We are very grateful to Bouygues UK for facilitating and sponsoring this opportunity.”
