What a fantastic POW Development Day at Cummins Engine Plant in Darlington. The company, Jude and Paulina especially, pulled out all the stops to ensure that, alongside the leadership development work that our ambassadors took part in, they also got a real understanding of all the roles available at the company alongside a production line tour.

Over 90 Ambassadors were split into two groups. Half of the day working on leadership development and self awareness, the other half on the plant tour and short workshops. Feedback from all the participants showed that the enthusiasm of the staff guides had really rubbed off on everyone.

One pupil said to me, ‘That confirms it, I want to be an engineer and work here.’

Give him time, he’s only 10! But let’s not miss the point, he now has that in his head; he relates to it, it is part of who he thinks he wants to be. That is powerful.

Our day was punctuated as usual by a networking session and our fantastic volunteers gave up their time to create a ‘business club’ vibe. In this session the children were coached, then expected to go and speak to the volunteers just like anyone would do at a networking event. Seeing the confidence grow from Day 1 to Day 2 was amazing. One volunteer told me that a boy approached her and referenced the conversation they had had six weeks previously as a way in to a conversation. Brilliant, exactly what we are trying to develop.

Watching the children grow in confidence, self reflect on their skills and attitudes then look at those things in other people is the joy of this programme. All ambassadors have a great day out but they have the responsibility to then follow up back in school deliver an assembly or a class session so that they ARE being future leaders through action. Although we have some great Inspiration Days at local companies and organisations, these Development Days are where we see all the ambassadors developing their personalities and confidence before our very eyes; it is palpable.

If you would like to attend the next session, please get in contact and help these children develop even further: andrew@sparkteesvalley.com