The established careers event is an opportunity for businesses to engage with young people as they develop their future workforces
Organisers of one of the most successful careers events in Oxfordshire – for a 10th year running – brought together hundreds of young people and many of the county’s top employers.
On Tuesday 22 January, staff from the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Skills team (OxLEP) hosted the 10th annual Careers Fest, held at MINI Oxford, enabling young people to meet with over 60 employers and training providers.
Top employers – including BMW Group (UK), the UK Atomic Energy Agency, Nielsen and Thames Valley Police – were at the event, aiming to inspire Oxfordshire’s teenagers.
At Careers Fest, around 1500 young people from over 20 secondary schools across Oxfordshire met employers, with attending businesses covering critical sectors including engineering, construction and pharmaceuticals.
It’s believed around 10,000 young people have experienced Careers Fest since its first event in 2010.
Nigel Tipple – Chief Executive of OxLEP – said: “It is essential, that as one of three net County contributors to the exchequer, Oxfordshire sets up its young people with the necessary skills to thrive, and to support some of the county’s globally-competitive industries.
“For 10 years, Careers Fest has had an excellent record of inspiring young people and helping them to understand the opportunities they have available to them.
“Whether it is understanding training programmes – such as apprenticeships – finding out about work experience opportunities, or discovering what a potential career pathway may look like, Careers Fest is a brilliant opportunity for young people in Oxfordshire, and this year’s event was no different.”
Simon Farrall – Head of Apprentice and Associate Training for BMW Group UK – said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have hosted Careers Fest once again at MINI Plant Oxford.
“It’s a fantastic forum for young people across Oxfordshire to find out about the range of careers that are available to them.
“For us it’s always a great chance to talk about our own apprenticeship scheme and to demonstrate the opportunities that exist in the UK automotive industry.”
