Ort UK is building on the success of its Jump mentoring programme by offering new initiatives to help prepare teenagers for the world of work.
Launched in 2009 with a couple of dozen students, the flagship Jump scheme had nearly 400 year-12 graduates this year from 14 schools who enjoyed sessions over the year with mentors in various professions ranging from architecture to policing.
This year it has also introduced working skills days, employability challenge programmes in the UK and Israel plus work placements. Ten year-12 students are due to set off shortly for a week in Israel, where they will learn about drip irrigation and animal therapy among other thins.
Beth Anthony, from JFS, one of this year’s Jump cohort, said, “My confidence has improved massively and it has given me an excellent grounding to begin my law applications for university. I know that once I begin my career after university, I will definitely want to give back and I look forward to becoming a mentor on the Ort Jump mentoring programme.” As well as serving Jewish schools, Jump includes non-Jewish students from general schools.
King David High School Manchester joined last year and Ort UK ceo Dan Rickman said: “We are going to be in Leeds and Brighton.”
Mentors included Simon Johnson, former chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council and now chairman of the International Rugby League, whose mentee witnessed top-table decision-making when he was taken to a board meeting.
Four students won awards for pieces of work submitted during the year: Eliza Demaj from Parliament Hill School; Nadav Gordon, JCoSS; Dina Benouaich, Hasmonean High School for Girls; and Rivka, Gabay, JFS.
At Monday’s graduation ceremony at JW3 in London, Joe Woolf, an alumnus of JFS who took part in the Jump programme ten years ago, explained how he came to co-found his vegan sweets company, Tasty Mates.
Interviewed by Amy Tapper of Gogglebox fame, he reassured his youthful audience that while it was good to have a “destination in mind”, it was “OK not to know what you want to do. Your path will change constantly.”
