When school asked where or what I would like to do for my work experience I said IT, I was disappointed when school said they had never been successful in the past unless a pupil actually knew someone with a company. I wrote to lots of local companies trying to sort it out myself but sadly failed. My year head Mr O Conner knew I was into my cycling so I was really pleased when he persuaded Calderdale Council Bikability Department to take me. Andy Geall the Sustainable Development Officer was in charge of me and I split my time between office work and going into local schools to teach level 2 Bikability skills to under 11 year olds and I also went for a day to Ravenscliffe special needs school to teach level 1. It was my responsibility to get to a different location on time everyday and work with different teams of instructors. I particularly enjoyed working with Tom as he is a semi professional cyclist and I am still in contact with him today a year on. I was given the challenge of making a risk assessment for a school in Brighouse, I had to go alone and survey the area for any dangers of traffic and hazzards in the road for example pot holes. I had to then type out a report including a map and photographs to support the report. Andy was very pleased and said I had done much better than he had expected, Andy asked me to join the team to take part in a cyclocross event in the Piece Hall Halifax, I had not ridden this style of riding before so went to support instead, I regretted my decision as wished I had taken part it looked fun. Andy also requested time off school so I could take part in the offical photographs for the Tour de France and it was whilst I was at the photoshoot I met riders from Pedalsport and was encourage to join which me and my dad did soon after.

I got a lot out of my work experience unlike some of my friends who thought it was a waste of time. I learnt how to follow instructions, work with various people including disabled children who needed a lot of patience and I learnt a lot. I enjoyed my time so much I volunteered in the school holidays where Calderdale Council run learn to ride days. I did not manage to do anything over the summer as I was working for my dad earning money but I will carry on whenever I can. I have even looked into becoming a British Cycling Level 1 coach which I am hoping to do next year when it is run again in my local area.

My parents have a precision Engineering business in Elland and for as long as I can remember I have always gone into work from a young age. When I was younger I learnt very quickly the importance of making cups of tea and even today the men running machines will ask if I'm brewing up when I go in. I have seen work from my parents point of view as employers and the hours my dad works including Sundays if needs be, he is still very hands on running machines daily and taking his paperwork home to do later. When I got older I progressed to cleaning out machines and tidying up and now I actually run a machine. My dad programs the CNC and I press buttons, I also saw up material and I have attached photos of a product I have now made over a thousand of

My dad said he would train me and send me on an apprenticeship course however we both know I don't really want to be an engineer and my dad said I should do something I enjoy for me as we spend a long time at work

Working in the factory is a totally different environment to the office at Calderdale Council as the men wind each other up all day and me when I am around but I enjoy the humour and banter.