Our aim is to develop an education business partnership with the local high school and support other educational initiatives. This will benefit those from our organisation who apply their skills and knowledge in a non-business environment; whilst providing schools and school children with input from the world of work.

To date, we have worked on the following programmes:

In 2006 we developed our first business education partnership with a local high school Wrockwardine Wood Arts College. Their pupils have attended a super learner day at Lyreco with other young people from our business. We have also had two groups of pupils visiting to look at how IT is used in the work place. We look to strengthen this relationship further in 2007.

For several years we have involved Scottish school children in a competition to design the front cover of the ABC catalogue. The winners in each category win a prize and office supplies for their schools.

Participation in the Shropshire Chamber Mentoring programme in local schools involves helping year 11 pupils prepare for life after school. Lyreco mentors visit the schools to work with the young people on key skills and pupils also get a site visit at our Head Office and National Distribution Centre in Telford.

We have had visits from students at colleges and schools wanting to learn about business and the different jobs that people are involved in. This is simply to demonstrate different working environments and how career progression can occur.

We have up to 20 people on work experience from local schools each year working in different departments within the business. We have also provided extended work experience for people in year 10/11 for 3 days a week over a 9 month period. This experience was intended to give the young person an appreciation of the work place and prepare them for the world of work. A number of the trainees have gone on to make successful roles at Lyreco, becoming part of the Youth Academy programme that is being rolled out.