Students gather data with help from Midlands firm Oakland International

Students from Arrow Vale High School in Redditch dropped in on local firm, Oakland International, as part of their applied business studies assignment, spending the morning quizzing staff on a range of internal and external factors affecting day to day business.

The visit formed an integral part of the student’s AS level assignment and representing one third of their overall grade. Student host for the day, Oakland’s MD Dean Attwell, stated the company encourages interaction and dialogue with local schools and colleges: “Oakland is delighted to support educational initiatives linked to the workplace, and is happy to assist students in their research.”

Oakland is known for its active promotion of greater links between schools and the business community, supporting other Arrow Vale students through projects such as language promotion to students, a key element to student future employment prospects.

Said Dean: “The plan for the students was to explore Oakland’s business platforms and discover key aspects of our business; the influence of external environmental and economic factors, the use of market research within our business activities, and how Oakland’s teams work together to deliver a service bespoke to individual wholesaler, supplier, manufacturer and retailer needs.”

A veteran partner, selected by major retailers and suppliers across the UK and Ireland, and European wholesale and convenience markets, Oakland works with multiples such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Asda, Morrisons, SPAR, Nisa-Today’s, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland, Somerfield, Landmark, Co-op, Makro, Dunnes, Superquinn, Supervalu and Musgrave, Oakland’s continued support is valued by the school.

Steve Last Subject Leader for Business: “Leading on from our successful visit from last year, students again were able to collect data for their AS level Business assignment. It enables them to apply various concepts and theories taught in lessons to a real business and provided essential data they require. They were able to get a clear understanding of the operation at Oakland and through interviews with key personnel improve their communication skills, knowledge and understanding. We are extremely grateful to Oakland for their continued support and we will be using the company in the future.”

The students’ deadline, in which they need to complete their investigations, is well on target thanks to Oakland’s support despite it being the start of the company’s busiest season.

Issued: 09/12/2010