Careers and Skills Fair highlights potential in East Cambs

Students and local businesses came together last week at the annual East Cambridgeshire Careers & Skills Fair to see how they could help shape each other’s future.

The event brought together Year 11 and Sixth Form students from the four secondary schools in East Cambridgeshire and Kings School Ely to talk to the top employers in the district through speed networking, Q&A sessions and exhibitions.

The Fair at Ely Cathedral also highlighted to local young people the skills and qualifications they would need to get jobs in certain sectors as well as signpost the careers available in their local area.

Feedback from students was very positive with remarks such as:

• “It gave me a good idea about local companies – many I didn’t know about”
• “The people I spoke to were very nice and informative”
• “Getting to speak to a wide variety of companies”
• “It gave me the freedom to ask my own questions”
• “Seeing people enthusiastic and passionate about their business”.

Cllr Lis Every from East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “There was a fantastic atmosphere at the Careers & Skills Fair this week as students and businesses from across East Cambridgeshire were brought together. It was wonderful to hear how excited the young people were to start planning their future and also to see how many innovative and diverse companies we have in the district ready to work with such great talent. I am sure the pupils will look back at the event as the beginning of the start of the rest of their lives and I wish them all the best in the years ahead.”

Anne Bailey Director of Form the Future CIC said: “We were so grateful for the nearly 60 businesses who took part, giving their time to talk to students about opportunities in their companies and their fields more generally. Some brought several staff members, including apprentices and recent graduates who can share their experience with students. It’s such a great opportunity for students to learn how to make themselves employable and to develop their networking skills.”

Nikki Pritchett, Work Related Learning Co-ordinator at Ely College said:” “This was a great opportunity for students of Year 11 and Sixth Form to talk to local businesses about the variety of career choices available to them after college/university or either through apprenticeships.  These students are now looking ahead to their futures and the choices they need to make to help them gain a career they aspire to.”

The East Cambridgeshire Careers & Skills Fair was jointly organised by Form the Future CIC, Ely College, and East Cambridgeshire District Council and businesses attending included: Michell Instruments, JDR Cable Systems, Napp Pharmaceuticals, Thorlabs, Redgate and Cambridge Commodities among others.

Sponsors included: Greys of Ely, Shearline Precision Engineering, Ivor Searle, The Employability Partnership, Form the Future CIC and East Cambridgeshire District Council. Ely Cathedral supported the event by providing the magnificent venue free of charge.

Businesses wishing to access further help should call 01353 644 000 and ask to speak to Erin Keck or e-mail erin.keck@eastcambs.gov.uk

More information on the event can be found at www.enterpriseeastcambs.co.uk