Link up with local employer.

Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School in Bournville is the latest learning institution in the West Midlands to sign up to take part in the Business Class initiative after forming a partnership with Bournville-based Mondelēz International which creates some of the world’s most famous Cadbury brands.

Aimed at providing support for students who may be facing social disadvantage, Business Class is facilitated by Business in the Community; an organisation which works to create links between business and society across the country.

Gerrard Baldwin, General Manager at Cadbury World, was keen for the organisation to get involved in the programme. He said: “Mondelēz International is committed to providing support to young people in the local community.

“Business Class will see us partnered with Dame Elizabeth Cadbury for a minimum of three years. During that time we will offer work placements, career guidance and hopefully make a measurable difference to the students. This is also a chance for our employees to use their expertise and skills and give something back to their local community”

Richard Tattersfield, Headteacher at Dame Elizabeth Cadbury, added: “It’s extremely difficult to gain employment after leaving education but the Business Class initiative has proved extremely successful in schools around the country.

“Mondelēz International employees have a great deal of experience and expertise and we’re looking forward to working with them to further develop the employability skills in all of our students. We are also doing a considerable amount of business leadership development to take the school to ‘outstanding’ level and thus further improving the outcomes of our students.”