The STEPS Under 16’s alternative education and training programme, based in Staines and Woking, gives a second chance to 14 to 16 year-olds who are no longer attending mainstream school. Many of them will be coping with problems in their lives and often they will have had extremely poor attendance at their schools, so have missed out on large chunks of education. The STEPS programme is designed to provide more self-confidence and enables students to improve their self-reliance and their prospects for employment and continuing education.

The visit was led by Dunsfold Park’s Chief Executive Jim McAllister who talked to the students about the variety of career opportunities which could be available to them if they were to work at Dunsfold Park.

Members from the events and security team then continued the talk and took the group on a tour of the aerodrome which included a visit to the resident 747, Top Gear track and studio and a look at the estate offices.

The students engaged in lively questioning whilst taking inspiration from the jobs described and entering into discussions about their future aspirations. Career choices included mechanic, lawyer, marketing, security and an air hostess, prompted by the visit to the 747.

Jim McAllister, Chief Executive, Dunsfold Park Ltd comments; "It is great to see how inquisitive the students are regarding the activities which take place at Dunsfold Park. We have a great many diverse business’ based on site and it is important for them to realise the opportunities available to them if they continue to work hard and progress through their STEPS training programme into full time employment."

A representative staff member from STEPS who attended the visit expressed the importance of the trip; "The students have been looking forward to coming to Dunsfold Park throughout their time on the course. It provides them with career focus and the opportunity to interact with people who are in a variety of different jobs."

To find out more about the work of The Surrey Care Trust and the STEPS programme visit their website http://www.surreycaretrust.co.uk/