ABOUT THE CASE STUDY
Overview
Working closely with the Witherslack Group team, MCS developed a programme of sessions across several school sites within the group’s network. This close collaboration ensures that activities are matched to the individual needs of students and aligned with the wider educational goals of each setting
All sessions are delivered with accessibility at the forefront, using interactive, practical formats that enable students to participate in a way that suits them. The approach is consistent across sites but flexible enough to be adapted where needed, including adjustments for sixth form students and varying levels of ability.
Activity
MCS has delivered a range of sessions across Witherslack
Group schools, designed to build both industry awareness and core
employability skills:
Career Sessions
Interactive presentations introducing the construction industry, key roles, and career pathways, helping students understand the opportunities available to them.
Interview Preparation
Mock interviews and guided sessions to support students in developing communication skills, confidence, and an understanding of employer expectations.
Sustainability Education
Workshops focused on environmental awareness and sustainable practices, connecting real-world challenges to the construction sector and everyday actions.
In-School Work Experience
Structured, hands-on experiences allowing students to explore workplace behaviours, teamwork, and problem-solving in a safe, familiar environment, breaking down barriers to real-world work experience.
IMPACT
The engagement has had a meaningful positive impact on the students involved, particularly in building confidence and readiness for future steps.
Students who were initially anxious about professional environments have been able to develop resilience and self-assurance through repeated, tailored exposure, highlighting the importance of accessible, engagement opportunities for young people with additional needs.
KEY OUTCOMES INCLUDE:
- Increased confidence when speaking to professionals and taking part in group activities
- Improved understanding of career opportunities within construction and engineering
- Development of core employability skills including communication, teamwork and problem-solving
- Exposure to real-world expectations in a structured, supportive setting
- Tailored delivery ensuring inclusivity across a range of learning needs and age groups
Community and Social Value
This partnership reflects MCS’s commitment to inclusive social value delivery, ensuring that career education and industry engagement are accessible to all young people, including those who may face additional barriers to employment.
By working with a specialist education provider such as Witherslack Group, MCS contributes to:
- Reducing inequality in access to careers education and employer engagement
- Supporting young people with additional needs towards employment pathways
- Building confidence and independence through practical, real-world experiences.
- Strengthening long-term links between education, specialist providers, and industry
This work aligns with MCS’s wider approach to community engagement, which focuses on creating meaningful opportunities that support long term outcomes for individuals and local communities.
Future plans
MCS will continue to develop its partnership with Witherslack Group, building on the success of sessions delivered to date and expanding the range and reach of activities across the group’s school network.
Future plans include increasing the frequency of engagement, exploring extended in-school work experience opportunities, and continuing to tailor delivery to meet the specific needs of each cohort, ensuring every young person has the opportunity to benefit.