March 2015
A showcase event was held on Wednesday 18 March to celebrate this year’s Dream Placement which was undertaken by 39 Cumbrian students.
The Dream Placement was an initiative, lead by the Centre for Leadership Performance, enabling bright young students to gain real life leadership skills in business settings.
James Costin, 16, of Cockermouth School and Sam Moore, 16, of Energy Coast Technical College spent one week working at Story Homes. They were given a ‘mission’ to complete throughout the week with us and then had to present findings to our management team. To read the full story of James and Sam’s week, click here.
Sam and James’ creative and innovative stand
For the showcase event, James and Sam put together a display stand which would depict all the activities that they undertook during their time with us. The Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP) chose our students to present to the invited guests, which included all the students who participated in the placement, their parents and the employers.
James and Sam compiled a very professional video of their week and spoke with great confidence about their experiences, their understanding of the business and very eloquently talked about the Story culture. James said: “The team of people at Story Homes gave us excellent help and support and there was great enthusiasm from everyone. There’s a real family culture within the business.”
They also spoke of how leadership comes from the top of the business ladder and how leaders have to become role models to their employees. Sam said: “I thought a business leader just came into the office in the morning and sat and worked all day, this is not the case. A leader must set the example of how they want their staff to behave and Fred Story is someone to be inspired by.”
Sam and James with Shelley Hayward, Learning and Development Manager, Story Homes
Ali Mather, Managing Director of CforLP thanked all the students who presented at the showcase event and said: “I’m feeling really inspired now! The environment facing young people is challenging and we need to change perceptions. Parents and businesses can stand together to help change attitudes. I really want to take this opportunity to thank all the employers who have taken part in Dream Placement.”
Story Homes will be taking part in the initiative again next year. If you are interested in finding out how to apply, visit the CforLP’s website.
To view the video of Sam and James click here.
The celebration video for Dream Placement can be viewed here.
