BUSINESS students from South Cheshire College enjoyed a capital business experience by spending a day in London to kick-start their Career Academy programme.

A dozen BTEC students enjoyed a behind-the-scenes visit to ING Commercial Bank to strengthen their business knowledge in the heart of the city.

The event, called A Capital Experience, was organised with national charity, Career Academies UK, which aims to bridge the gap between education and work by giving young people access to real workplace experiences.

As part of their visit to ING, students were given presentations by senior staff who were able to provide insights into aspects of the bank’s business.

In the afternoon, the students joined 1,700 other young people from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, all of who are beginning the Career Academy programme.

Students heard from motivational speakers and enjoyed entertainment from Citi Bank’s choir, who featured recently on the BBC’s ‘The Choir – Sing While You Work’ programme, as well as dance group, CEO Dancers.

South Cheshire College business lecturer Denis Newell, who teaches the Career Academy learners, said: “We had a great time thanks to the ING Bank, who were excellent hosts and the four speakers inspired the students by reinforcing to them that there is more than one route to success.

“The event benefited students because it showed them they were not alone in the Academy, and that there were so many young people taking part in the programme from across the country.”

Student Dominic Taylor-Wilkin said: “The visit to ING gave us a great deal of information we can take forward as we begin our careers in business. “The speakers were interesting and we have learned a lot about the range of jobs in banking and about the different routes people have taken to achieve successful careers in banking.”