Thousands of students gearing up for skills fair at Suffolk New College in Ipswich, featuring businesses such as Sizewell C, Ipswich Town Football Club and John Grose
More than 3,000 students have signed up for a skills fair which is set to bring the business and education sectors together.
Suffolk New College (SNC) is set to host its FutureSkills Fair on November 4.
Charlotte Rossiter, an event coordinator for SNC, who organised the event, said the fair would allow students aged 14 to 16 to consider the many career options that may lie in their future.
In addition, she said it would welcome dozens of businesses to its Ipswich campus in Rope Walk between 9am and 3pm.
Top sponsors for the event include Sizewell C, Ipswich Town Football Club and John Grose.
Charlotte said the event would build upon the foundations laid by other skills fairs.
She revealed 35 businesses had already signed up, with more expected before the event begins.
“By bringing together employers, industry experts, and educational establishments, the Suffolk Futureskills Fair aims to equip young people with the knowledge and motivation they need to make informed decisions about their careers,” she said.
“Through interactive workshops, engaging presentations, and hands-on activities, participants are encouraged to discover their passions and develop the skills necessary to thrive in their chosen fields.”
Chris Young, head of employment affairs at Sizewell C, stressed how vital events like this were.
He said: “It’s important we make opportunities for young people visible and accessible and an event like this will enable them to speak to employers and discover what is out there.
“There is a huge amount of opportunity in Suffolk – and the region – and we need to make sure that information is there for them to see, so they can make informed choices.”
She said skills fairs like this were a huge opportunity for businesses to engage with their future workforce.
Meanwhile, Andy Woolridge, commercial director at ITFC, said the club was proud of its roots and heritage and was dedicated to supporting young people and the wider community.
He said: “We are known for developing young talent on the football pitch. Now we want to play our part in developing talent off the pitch across the county.
“It is important for the club to get involved because we all live and work in Suffolk and the only way we are going to drive the county forward on a national scale is to support our young people by inspiring them to be better through events like this.”
Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason, High Sheriff of Suffolk, said her focus in the role would be ensuring as many young people as possible – particularly those leaving care – were in training, apprenticeships or employment.
The county has many areas of economic development, she said, with room for growth and significant infrastructure projects in the works.
Ms Gilchrist-Mason added: “By bringing Suffolk companies and supply chains into view at events like this we can inspire and support them in seeing where their futures could be.
“I’d urge businesses to get involved in the FutureSkills Fair, step into view and work alongside young people, inform them about the amazing job opportunities that are out there in this region and it will help raise their aspirations and hopes for the future as they look to find their place in the world.”
