SCHOOLS across York have benefitted from a leading city firm's community programme.

The York-based Portakabin Group has expanded its work with schools and universities with a range of new initiatives and this financial year has so far helped 16 schools and universities and more than 550 pupils and students.

Recent activities range from interview practice days and mentoring programmes in local schools, supporting careers events, providing research projects for university students, to stimulating interest in apprenticeships and encouraging more children to consider science, technology and manufacturing as a career.

The community education projects have included:

• Creating allotments for use by Tang Hall Primary School pupils, Beaver groups, and under-privileged children to teach them about all aspects of growing fruit and vegetables. The Portakabin team supported the Glen Allotment project through its volunteering scheme by helping to create the allotments and significantly improve the facility

• Hosting an aspirations taster day at Huntington Secondary School to provide practical advice to students about entering the career market place and apprenticeship opportunities

• A careers event at Canon Lee School in Clifton to broaden students’ knowledge about the different pathways into employment and further and higher education, and what skills and attributes employers are looking for

• Participation in Science Week at Huntington Primary School to stimulate children’s interest in a career in science and manufacturing

• Work with Archbishop Holgate’s CE Academy to support their School Industry Day and help a team of students take a business idea from initial concept to a fully costed business plan

• A mock interview day at Millthorpe School in York where practice interviews were carried out with year 10 students to help them become better prepared for work experience interviews and increase their confidence

Derek Carter, chief executive of the Portakabin Group, said: “We want to harness the enthusiasm and expertise of our staff from across the Portakabin Group to inspire young people and open up a world of opportunities and possibilities. Our aim is to help them develop their confidence, life skills, and give them an insight into different career choices, how business works, the fantastic construction industry and into a great British manufacturer based in Yorkshire.

“A business the size of the Portakabin Group definitely has an important and valuable role to play in supporting education – from schools and apprentices to university masters students. We want to deliver more initiatives that engage our team members and impact positively on the communities in which we live and work.”