The Aspirations Employability Diploma (AED) gives Post-16 students a real-world understanding of modern industries and future career pathways.
At Magna 6, students work in teams to tackle real-world industry challenges designed directly by our local employer partners. Magna 6 connects students with local employers, giving them the opportunity to solve authentic, team-based workplace challenges.
Previous challenges:
- Design a workshop for secondary age students to promote wellbeing through physical or creative activities. Set by Ryan Christie- AFC Bournemouth
- Delivering a superior customer experience. Set by Martin Emery- CEO of Mayfield Decking. Martin is also our enterprise adviser.
- Students will work in teams to design a new product for Lush, a company known for its ethical approach to cosmetics. Annabel Platt- Communications and PR Manager.
- Devise a strategy for attracting a diverse health and social care workplace within Boscombe. Jacky Hoyle NHS
- Design a business networking event- Matt Desmier Business Innovator Consultant
“As Enterprise Advisor to Magna Academy, it is my responsibility to help students develop their understanding of professional behaviour, performance and delivery.
Aspirations Employability Diploma (AED) is a unique programme to Magna Academy which enables students to practice and demonstrate core skills such as communication, critical thinking, and creativity. We achieve this through projects which immerse students in real life work situations testing their character and ability to collaborate.” – Martin Emery, Enterprise Adviser and CEO of Mayfield Decking
“As a father of two teenage boys, I’m all too aware of how rapidly the expectations placed on young people is changing. What I think is brilliant about the AED programme and why I am pleased to support it, is how well it complements their academic studies and offers the students real-world, tangible experiences that will prove invaluable when they enter the world of work.” – Matt Desmier, Business Manager
“Working with Magna Aspirations on their Year twelve project was fantastic. The students took the brief and developed insightful product and marketing campaign ideas. As a local business, founded by a group of creatives and friends, Lush has a strong passion for developing, growing and connecting with the next generation of talent here in Dorset. Strengthening our connection with Magna Academy over the course of the academic year was an absolute pleasure, and we hope it helped the students with real world examples of product campaign ideation.” – Annabel Platt, Communications & PR Coordinator at Lush
In AED students are challenged to develop their Power Skills
Why do we do this?
Recent government guidance and labour market research place transferable “Power Skills” at the centre of future employability. As workplace automation and AI handle routine tasks, human-centred capabilities have become the primary indicator of long-term career success.
Here is why each of the Magna 6 Power Skills is essential for future employment:
- Communication: According to the UK Department for Education’s (DfE) framework for transferable skills, effective communication—both verbal and written—is a top priority for over 90% of employers. It enables employees to present ideas clearly, manage workplace relationships, and translate complex concepts for clients or stakeholders.
- Collaboration: UK government workforce research highlights teamwork as a critical skill required across almost every sector. Future roles rely heavily on cross-functional project teams, where individuals must negotiate, respect diverse perspectives, and work collectively toward shared goals.
- Creativity: Research into future labour markets indicates that creative thinking is key to driving innovation. While technology can analyse existing data, human creativity allows employees to identify new opportunities, generate original ideas, and adapt to shifting market needs.
- Character: Government employability frameworks emphasize work-related behaviours such as resilience, integrity, self-management, and initiative. Employers look for individuals who demonstrate emotional maturity, adaptability to change, and strong ethical standards in professional settings.
- Critical Thinking: High-level problem-solving and analytical reasoning consistently top employer skill demand indexes. In an information-rich environment, employees must evaluate source material, synthesize complex information, and make sound, evidence-based decisions independently.
Students initially participate in collaborative team competitions within their respective academies. Winning teams from each Aspirations Academy then advance to present before a panel of industry professionals