Pupils got to experience life working at Knowsley Safari from the comfort of their own classroom.
Specialist provision school, Alt Bridge School in Huyton, were the first to trial the safari park’s ‘virtual work experience’ careers programme. Pupils aged 13 to 18 used state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) headsets to experience career opportunities at the park.
The ‘Let’s Explore the Visitor Economy’ workshops removed limitations of traditional work experience allowing the students to gain an insight of possible careers at the park.
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Knowsley Safari worked with Growth Platform to showcase the opportunities to young people within the city region’s SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) system. Growth Platform is Liverpool City Region’s growth company who, through the Career’s Hub, connects local businesses and education as part of the government’s career strategy.
Careers lead at Alt Bridge School, Paula Beasley told the ECHO: “Over 100 students have taken part in the Knowsley Safari VR careers experience, it’s created a real buzz in school. It’s been valuable in raising awareness of the wide range of jobs that exist within the visitor economy, especially at the Safari. We’re grateful to Knowsley Safari and the Growth Platform in providing the opportunity".
Students were given an introduction to the different areas of the park and to the people working there, as they would on the first day of a ‘real life’ work experience placement. They met those working there; from animal keepers, reception to conservation, tour guides to catering.
The park has more than 1,200 animals including lions, tigers, rhinos and wolves. It first opened in 1971. The VR explores the many different roles staff do with the intention of inspiring young people.
Learning & discovery manager at Knowsley Safari, Ellie Hill said: “It’s important for us to make career opportunities at the Safari as accessible as possible. By bringing Safari life into the classroom, we can showcase the huge range of opportunities on offer to even more young people.
"We’re so pleased the pilot VR session with Alt Bridge School was a success, the technology certainly proved popular with the pupils.”
Career’s hub lead at Growth Platform, Claire Caddick added: “We’re creating a series of VR work experiences to enable children in Liverpool City Region to realise the wide range of career opportunities available to them. It’s been great working alongside Knowsley Safari”.
Liverpool’s visitor economy is worth £4.9bn and supports over 55,000 jobs. It’s hoped that programmes such as this will further support it as a major growth sector.
Schools interested in applying for the VR programme should contact: claire.caddick@growthplatform.org
For information visit Knowsley Safari HERE
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