Higher Education and recruitment event a success

Weston College students took the next steps on their career path at a Higher Education and Careers event held this week.

Employers and representatives from universities gathered at Weston College’s new Events and Conference Centre, located in the refurbished Hans Price building next door to the Knightstone Campus, and spoke to almost 600 student visitors.

The event was open to everyone, but was particularly aimed at first and second year Level 3 students and those studying A levels.

Georgia Prentice, Weston College’s HE and External Progression Officer, organised the event. She said: “We’ve had 26 universities and 22 employers with us for this event and as well as it being an information-giving session we’ve also tried to make it fun.

“This is also National Student Money Week, so there have been games and challenges around the idea of managing finance.”

Art and Design students Chelsea Inglis and Sophie Aldridge, both 16, went along to see what their options maybe post 18.

Chelsea said: “We both want to do something in the media – I’m interested in make-up and Sophie wants to go into costume design – so we thought we’d see where we could go and what we needed.

“We didn’t realise that Bournemouth does the kind of courses we’re looking for, so that’s an option. It was definitely worth coming to the event, everyone’s been really helpful.”

Universities including Cambridge, Cardiff, Bath Spa and UWE were represented, among others. Staff from companies and organisations including Barclays, Sainsbury, EDF and the Armed Forces were also at the event.

Judy Clibbet, store trainer at Sainsbury, said: “It’s a very worthwhile event from both the students’ and the store’s perspective. We get chance to show off the full range of positions available and students find out that working for a supermarket company is more than just working inside a store.”

Sgt Deborah Yeates, of Avon and Somerset Police, said there had been strong interest in policing careers.

“We often find that people ask about science-based careers,” she said, “but this time quite a few students have been interested in police-officer jobs. We’ve been telling people under the age of 18 that it’s important to develop person-centred skills through work experience. This will stand them in good stead if they decide to apply to be police officers when they’re 18.”