Local businesses unite to help 1000 young people

Next week, hundreds of students and businesses will be coming together at the first annual East Cambridgeshire Careers & Skills Fair.
The event will give around a 1,000 Year 11 and Sixth Form students from the four secondary schools in the district the chance to talk to 50 of the top employers in East Cambridgeshire through speed networking, Q&A sessions and exhibitions.
The Fair, which is taking place on Thursday 16 October at the Maltings in Ely, will also highlight to local young people the skills and qualifications they need to get jobs in certain sectors as well as signpost the careers available on their doorstep.
Cllr Bill Hunt, who leads on Economic Development at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We are all incredibly excited about the first ever East Cambridgeshire Careers & Skills Fair – there are so many positives it is difficult to know where to start. For example, we are introducing our young people to some of the best local businesses to give them the chance to understand the skills and the talents needed to get a job. We are also showing the students the incredibly diverse and world class businesses on their very doorstep.
“When you are young you have the world at your feet but often you don’t know in which direction to turn. We hope the Fair will act as a guide to help students to make informed decisions by being inspired by the advice they hear next week. A huge amount of work has gone into the planning of the day from the schools, businesses and the District Council which goes to show yet again by working together we can better deliver for our young people. I can’t wait to see and hear for myself how the day goes and to learn of the difference it will make to our young people’s lives.”
Catherine Jenkinson-Dix, Principal of Ely College said: “Events like this are vital for young people in East Cambs, not only with respect to helping them plan for their future careers, but also to provide opportunities for them to engage with the local community. I am quite certain that the students will benefit greatly from the chance to meet and hear from the region’s businesses, but I am equally sure that the business leaders themselves will benefit from the event too, and the chance to meet their next generation of employees.”
Anne Bailey from Employer Links, Coordinator Cambridge Area 14-19 Partnership, said: “Meeting employers and learning about work is essential preparation for life after school and we try to make sure that all schools within the Cambridge Area Partnership are giving students chances like this. What’s really helped is that East Cambridgeshire District Council recognise that getting schools and businesses to work together is vital to future economic prosperity.”
The East Cambridgeshire Careers & Skills Fair has been jointly organised by Ely College, East Cambridgeshire District Council and the Cambridge Area 14-19 Partnership and businesses due to attend include: G’s Marketing, Shearline Precision Engineering, Napp Pharmaceuticals, Michell Instruments, Kier Construction, Oil & Gas Systems Ltd, Barclays Bank, LGC Group, Sainsbury’s, Whiting and Partners, The National Stud and many more from a range of sectors, company sizes and roles.
The Economic Development Team at East Cambridgeshire District Council provides a range of services and support to local businesses including advice on grants and funding.
Businesses wishing to access further help should call 01353 665555 and ask to speak to the Economic Development team or e-mail business@eastcambs.gov.uk