Careers Fair hailed a huge success
Our ‘Your Future’ Careers Fair was a huge success with more than 60 organisations and over 700 people attending.
Wednesday’s event saw college students and apprentices, local school pupils and members of the public talk to a wide range of exhibitors in our sports hall about career opportunities.
Student Progression Manager Jennifer Phillips said: “We had an incredible 700+ attendees at the event, which was a huge success. We are very grateful to the 100 representatives from more than 60 organisations including employers, recruitment agencies, universities and voluntary organisations who took part.
“It was a fabulous opportunity for our students, apprentices, members of the public and the secondary and primary school students to speak to a wide range of professionals about career pathways, employment opportunities, apprenticeships and higher education.
“Students also had the opportunity to apply for job vacancies and apprenticeships on the day and hand their CV to employers ready for future employment following completion of their course this summer.”
Organisations which took part included: • American Summers • The Auckland Project • Beamish Museum • Believe Housing • British Army • County Durham Care Academy • Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) • Durham Constabulary • Durham County Council Culture & Leisure Services • Durham Enable • Durham University • EE • EQUANS-Group • Farrans Construction • GSK • HM Prison Service • Kier Construction • HM Treasury • NHS North East and Yorkshire • Newcastle Rugby Foundation • Northern School of Art • Northumbria University • Salon Services • South Durham Enterprise Service • Teesside University.
The Student Progression Team has received excellent feedback from both employers and students who completed evaluation forms.
Comments from employers included: “Really well organised event with a wide range of students and other organisations in attendance” and “Big variety and demographic of customers and employers - very well run event”.
Students were equally impressed. One said: “The atmosphere was amazing and it was a fantastic experience.” Another added: “It’s helped me figure out wanting to explore another career.”
The fair was among a number of activities organised as part of National Careers Week 2023 at the college. Former hairdresser, college lecturer and HM Prison Service careers adviser Lyndsey Donald, now with the National Careers Service, delivered ‘Buzz’ workshops where students used an interactive personality, skills and careers quiz to help identify their strengths and motivations and suggest career ideas that match their profile.
On Tuesday Sergeant Shaz Sadiq from Durham Constabulary gave a guest lecture to Uniformed Public Services students on how the force deals with hate crimes and how equality and diversity plays a significant role in policing.
South Durham Enterprise Agency also delivered ‘how to become self-employed’ sessions to Hair & Beauty and Health & Social Care students during the week.
National Careers Week #NCW2023 is an annual week-long celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK, which aims to provide a focus for careers guidance activity at an important stage in the academic calendar to help support young people leaving education. Find out more at nationalcareersweek.com
