Projecting a career: industry and education working together in Bexley

Examines the effectiveness of a one‐day education/business initiative set up in 1994 in South London under the auspices of the South London Training & Enterprise Council, and Bexley Education Business Partnership. The 16‐17‐year‐olds were divided into teams or businesses and invited to tender for a marketing contract to promote Bastille Day at the Swallow Hotel. The one‐day exercise involved drafting a promotional leaflet in French, writing an advertisement,making a leaflet holder and, finally, giving a presentation. Concludes that the initiative successfully encouraged teamwork and leadership,while enabling young people to practise the work‐related skills which employers value. It also provided an opportunity to take on a high‐level management/marketing challenge – an activity outside their experience – and see for themselves how different industries interrelate.