News Careers Boost! 18.11.2020

This week Collyer’s welcomed Al Gunn (Sales Director, Boost Drinks) to the college, via Zoom, for a live session focussing on sales, marketing and employability. Al took part in a lively and entertaining Q&A with Deputy Principal Steve Martell and his Employability students, modestly charting his meteoric career journey and offering candid advice about how students can compete in the future. Students asked questions about teamwork, coping in difficult times, role models and a day in the life of a sales director.

Lucy Hargreaves, Collyer’s Employability Programme Co-ordinator, said: “It was incredibly generous of Al to accept our invitation and give up so much of his valuable time to prepare for, and take part in today’s session.”

During the event, Steve, Lucy, Al and the group also reflected on the world of work when Al started his career in 1980, the changes in working patterns and technology to 2020, and the kind of jobs the students would be doing in 2060!

Al Gunn told students: “I’ve been inspired by the work Lucy and Steve are doing with their students. They genuinely care and are so enthusiastic! This is why I always make time to help my friends at Collyer’s.”

The second-year students who attended the session were those currently studying the innovative and highly rated Employability programme.

Collyer’s Deputy Principal Steve Martell, who teaches the course at the Ofsted Outstanding Sixth Form college said: “Al Gunn is enjoying a hugely successful career in marketing and sales, and it is fantastic that he’s willing to inspire and actively help the next generation. We are massively grateful to Al for his continued support of the important employability work we are doing here at Collyer’s. His witty, down to earth and inspirational delivery proved incredibly popular with our students.

“Huge thanks also to Collyer’s IT guru Lewis Peters, for his technical support today, and to Lucy Hargreaves for making Employability possible at our college. She is an absolute legend.”

Lucy Hargreaves added: “Alongside the taught Employability sessions, the college’s numerous progression activities this year will include: inspiring guest speakers, mock interviews, employability skills workshops, psychometric testing, personal branding; Next Steps careers evenings, HE events, Oxbridge sessions and a host of other activities in conjunction with key national, regional and local partner organisations.”