Careering ahead: leading businesses encourage young people to aim higher at Opportunities Fair
Over 50 of the County’s major employers, Universities and FE Colleges raised awareness of the opportunities available to young people in Nottinghamshire when they converged at last week’s ‘What Next’ Careers and Opportunities Fair.
The fair, which was held at Harvey Hadden Sports Stadium in Bilborough on the 14th and 15th of October was a resounding success and is now expected to become an annual event.
‘What Next’ was organised by Aimhigher Nottinghamshire, in partnership with Connexions, and the Nottinghamshire LSC. The event brought together Years 11, 12 and 13 students and their parents and careers with the major employers, Colleges, Universities and training providers from across the county.
The event was specifically aimed at raising the aspirations of young people in Nottinghamshire and amongst the employers exhibiting at the event were: Capital One, Wilkinsons, Inland Revenue, SAKS Hairdressing, Nottinghamshire Police, Army, RAF, NHS and many more.
All schools in Nottinghamshire were invited to attend the event, with Aimhigher paying for the transportation of the pupils from all areas of Nottinghamshire to the Harvey Hadden Stadium. Around 4,000 young people attended. Many young people were joined by their parents on the Thursday evening.
The event offered an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with leading employers from government and private industry and to explore the various course options open too. There were loads of interactive events, plus a climbing wall, chef demonstration and some scary creepy crawlies.
For the Parents and Carers who attended on the Thursday evening, the event provided an opportunity to can explore the range of career options, job opportunities and education choices in Further and Higher Education. They also had the opportunity to see the Cragrats theatre production - a fun performance illustrating the different learning options - which is currently touring schools in Nottinghamshire.
Mary Brittain, Director of Aimhigher Nottinghamshire said: “This is the first time in over four years that a county-wide careers and opportunities fair has been organised specifically for 15 - 18 year old students in Nottinghamshire. We are thrilled to re-instate it. It’s vitally important that young people are aware of the diversity of the opportunities available to them and have the chance to talk to people from industry and at learning institutions about the possibilities open to them.”
Feedback from the young people, parents and carers who attended the event was extremely encouraging, with many young people commenting upon the quality of advice from the Connexions staff present at the event.
