March school hosts careers event to showcase exciting opportunities to students

Neale-Wade Academy hosted an all-day careers event to help raise the profile of career opportunities on offer in the local area and prepare students for the ever-changing world of work.

On the day, a diverse range of over 25 employers and work-based training providers participated in the event, including local organisations such as Stainless Metalcraft, Plasgran, Aerotron Composites and Whitings LLP.

Representatives from both local and national employers talked to students about their organisations, their individual careers and the different routes into their industries.

Local college and university representatives such as Anglia Ruskin University were also in attendance to discuss student life and the wide range of courses available.

Students from Neale-Wade Academy, which is part of The Active Learning Trust, were encouraged to act as professional prospective employees whilst attending the event, to help prepare them for life beyond school.

Hattie in Year 9 said: “It was great to meet the Police and the RAF. I want to look at these as a future career so it was very helpful for me.”

Speaking about the event, Sam Mandley, assistant principal and careers lead at Neale-Wade Academy, said: “Neale-Wade Academy aims to raise the employability of its young people by

providing students with a variety of opportunities in preparation for the world of work – and we are confident this event has helped achieve this.

“We also encourage our students to develop and demonstrate skills such as creativity and problem solving, as well as leadership and teamwork. By building on these skills throughout their school life, students will be more confident in the face of future employers.

“Thank you to the employers, colleges, training providers and universities who gave up their time to speak to our students at the careers event. The day was a huge success and we look forward to providing our students with more initiatives like this in the future.”

Lauren Tabbinor, schools and colleges engagement officer at Anglia Ruskin University attended the event to get a greater insight into students’ ambitions for the future. She said: “It was a great event, and it was good to hear from different year groups on what their current thinking is regarding their future plans. The day was very insightful and gave me a better understanding of the student body at Neale-Wade Academy.”