Bunker 19 academy

Two young men posing with hand signs in a room with graffiti wall art.

Introduction

Bunker 19 Academy is a collaboration projects with Southessex College Group that allows student to participate in work flow of a business, build knowledge, understanding and gain real world experience of business management and operations, taught them to work in a team, to achieve a common goal. This project allows student be work ready after the graduation with hand on experience of business operations and team collaborations, while supplying Bunker 19 with constant flow of fresh and innovative ideas from students.

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Beginning

During their first term at Bunker 19, the team demonstrated a level of professionalism, adaptability, and creativity that exceeded expectations. From the moment they arrived, they immersed themselves in understanding the business its purpose, its customers, and the systems that keep it running. This early insight shaped the quality and impact of the work they went on to deliver.

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Work and Projects

The group quickly became involved in a wide range of projects across events, marketing, systems development, and digital design. They contributed to the creation of promotional materials for key events such as Reunion Night, Meet the Entrepreneurs, and the Southend Half Marathon Afterparty. Their work also supported partner businesses, including AWB Valeting, where they helped design posters, refine service offerings, and build a fully functional website that strengthened the company’s online presence.
A major achievement was the development of the AWB website, where the team planned the structure, designed the layout, created content, and ensured the site was easy to navigate. The website’s launch resulted in clearer communication of services, improved customer engagement, and a more credible digital footprint for the business. Building on this success, the team began modernising the Bunker 19 website, focusing on user experience, visual appeal, and clearer presentation of services.
Systems development became another significant area of impact. Working closely with the owners, the team observed real shifts and documented every operational process from opening routines and Trackman setup to food preparation, stock checks, and closing procedures. This work contributed to the creation of the “Bunker 19 Bible", a comprehensive guide designed to improve training, reduce errors, and support staff confidence during solo shifts.

Four young men working together at a table with laptops and notes.

What was learned/discovered

Throughout the placement, the team demonstrated strong collaboration and problem‑solving skills. They learned to divide tasks effectively, communicate clearly, and adapt to challenges such as unfamiliar software, time pressure, and gaps in information. Their ability to work across different departments from marketing to systems to web development showed maturity and a willingness to learn.

Individually and collectively, they developed valuable skills in teamwork, communication, digital design, customer research, and project planning. They also gained a deeper understanding of how small businesses operate and how thoughtful design, clear systems, and strong customer engagement can directly influence growth.

We also had a lot of fun learning new things and working on different projects.

Three young men collaborating over a laptop in a casual workspace.

Conclusion and Future potential

Overall, the team’s contribution has had a meaningful impact on Bunker 19. Their work strengthened the business’s digital presence, improved internal systems, and supported the delivery of events and partnerships. More importantly, they demonstrated what a motivated, well‑coordinated group can achieve when given real responsibility and the space to grow. Ultimately this led to a high productivity rate within the cohort, increasing revenue and recognition with the posters we worked on for all the events.