Herefordshire Council is holding a careers fair with a difference - the county’s school pupils meet local professionals and test out the skills they’ll need for the job of their dreams.
The Big Expo is an exciting showcase of exhibitors demonstrating employment, training and applied learning opportunities. The showcase will focus on opportunities available in the county with an emphasis on the new vocational diplomas. Students will learn more about applied learning opportunities and talk to experts about careers, employment and training.
The event has been organised for around 250 of the county’s year nine students at the Three Counties Showground on July 2 from 10am-3pm.
Exhibitors will present workshops to students throughout the day. More than 25 organisations and companies have arranged to be there including the Courtyard Theatre, Eastnor Pottery, Wiggins, DENCO, a local wood turner, Hereford United and Keith St Peters hairdressers.
A range of professionals will be on hand to talk to the young people about the skills they need to get started in their chosen profession and to see if they’re up to it by letting them have a go.
Louise Price, 14-19 co-ordinator, said: “We’ve managed to establish a broad range of contacts covering lots of vocational areas and expertise. All the young people attending have already demonstrated an interest in applied, hands-on learning opportunities and extended work placements and this is an opportunity for them to meet the professionals and see first hand whether the job measures up to their expectations.
“This is the first time Herefordshire Council has attempted such an innovative approach to careers fair. With the new diplomas around the corner, we need to begin promoting more vocational training options to young people and also to get more employers and potential trainers on board.”