Sussex Super 1s employability programme creating opportunities

Telefonica Tech UK is a leading provider of technology services for businesses, Inventive Search is a recruitment consultancy specialising in the Technology Sector. Both organisations have offices located at the 1^st Central County Ground, Hove, and regularly provide employee volunteers to participate in a range of Sussex Cricket's community projects.

"This is the second year we have run the Interview Skills workshop after a successful pilot last year. Once again our Super 1s participants engaged fully with the experience and performed brilliantly in their mock interviews. Liam from Team Domenica was amazing in leading the workshop, and our four employee volunteers from Telefonica Tech and Inventive Search added so much to the individual learning of our participants," said Aroop Tanna, the Disability Cricket Manager for Sussex Cricket Foundation.

For the Interview Skills workshop, each organisation provided a team of employee volunteers to buddy up with our Super 1s participants to support them completing a series of practical learning activities and help prepare them for their mock interviews. The employee volunteers also took turns leading the mock interviews.

"It was so good to see the participants put their learning into practice as part of the Events Team for Sussex Cricket's annual volunteer awards on Day 1 of the Sussex v Leicestershire Championship game. They were extremely professional managing front of house, greeting 450 club volunteers and representatives and distributing tickets and hospitality vouchers. We have already agreed we will provide this work experience opportunity to our Super 1s participants at future volunteer awards."

For the parents of Super 1s participants, the impact of this programme is significant. One parent shared their perspective:

"The Interview Skills Workshop that was offered by Lord’s Taverners and Sussex Cricket was an excellent opportunity for my son Owen, who has been part of Super 1s for the last couple of years. This workshop provided real advice from real employers, and best of all, Owen got to put all that learning into practice at a real event. Owen had never done an interview before and was quite nervous on the day. He came away from the experience feeling much more confident. As a parent, this was very much appreciated."