Mayor Parker's visit commenced with a tour of the Solihull Academy, guided by student leaders. This provided an opportunity for the Mayor to engage directly with students, learning about their current projects, aspirations, and the skills they are developing through the academy's unique educational approach.
The highlight of the visit was a dynamic round table discussion featuring four current T-Level students – Grace Palmer, Millee Sondh, Oscar Mosley, and Ethan John – alongside two accomplished Alumni: Samuel Austin, now working at Galldris, and Edward Dunster from Vanguard Sustainable Transport.
The discussion was chaired by Andy Dillow, COO at Springpod, with valuable input from industry representatives from the West Midlands Combined Authority. Mr. Dillow steered the conversation around crucial questions such as "What do young people need to make the transition from school to the workplace?" and "What are the challenges young people feel that they face from leaving school to gaining an apprenticeship?".
The insights shared by the students and Alumni offered a valuable perspective on the current landscape of youth employment and the support needed for a successful transition.
Adding further value to the day, Springpod delivered a series of interactive career talks in the Academy's atrium.
Daisy Rowan, Kurt Skillen, and Rose O'Donnell engaged with Key Stage 4 and 5 students throughout the day, providing essential career advice and showcasing Springpod's virtual work-based learning experiences with leading employers and educational institutions.
The event was marked by inspiring contributions from the students, who articulated their ambitions for the future, and the alumni, who shared compelling stories of how WMG Academy Solihull played a crucial role in their journey towards securing apprenticeships.
“At WMG Academy Solihull, we are incredibly proud to provide a platform where young people can speak confidently about their futures and demonstrate the skills they are developing through our business-like, business led approach.
"Watching our students and Alumni engage so meaningfully with the Mayor and industry leaders is a powerful reminder of the impact of real-world education. We are preparing the next generation not just for employment—but for innovation and leadership.” Claire Morris, Associate Principal.
“It was a real privilege to host the West Midlands Combined Authority Team, Mayor Parker, Springpod and the JLR team and have the opportunity to showcase the skills and business behaviours that our students are developing with us. The alumni who joined us for the event are our finest ambassadors in signposting the pathways available to young people who choose a high quality technical education route.” Stewart Tait, CEO
"It was truly inspiring to hear from our student's when speaking about their future aspirations and from our Alumni who returned to the academy to share how WMG Academy for Young Engineers Solihull supported them in their Journey from school into an apprenticeship," Andrew Kyprianou, Director of Engineering at WMG Academy For Young Engineers.
