Schools from Brighton & Hove attended the week-long online careers event, where industry experts shared their advice and insights on the world of work and how to navigate their futures.
The initiative was organised by a range of local partners led by Coast to Capital and the Careers and Enterprise Company, in collaboration with Albion in the Community (AITC), American Express, Brighton & Hove City Council, GetMyFirstJob.co.uk and Laing O’Rourke.
With the Covid-19 pandemic limiting the ways that employers can interact with potential employees, the Hello Future event was provided for students to gain access to local employers through a live online programme of panel events covering advice on what skills are needed in different industries and what is needed to excel in the workplace.
Throughout Sussex a total of 27 schools signed up for the event, with Blatchington Mill, Dorothy Stringer, Downs View Life Skills College, Greater Brighton Metropolitan College, Hamilton Lodge, Hove Park and Patcham all taking part.
Moreover, the virtual event is expected to reach thousands of pupils from across Sussex.
“The Hello Future’s workshops were developed to support young people and help them understand the importance of developing employability skills that businesses consider to be vital in the workplace,” AITC’s schools manager Rob Josephs explained.
He later added: “The response from the local business community to support this event has been outstanding and demonstrates how invested everybody is to support the next generation.”
Throughout the week, 12 sessions were provided with 60 experienced panellists from local businesses offering their time to speak about their careers to date and answer the student’s questions.
The event also offered a parent or carer-specific session that provided guidance to those whose young person is about to enter the workplace.
Charlotte Duerden, UK Country Manager at American Express, who participated in the event alongside 20 Amex Senior Leaders and colleagues said: “We’re proud to be backing such a valuable initiative. It’s important that young people feel positive about their future prospects and have the confidence and ambition to consider a range of careers.”
“It’s been fantastic to see how engaged and enthusiastic the students have been during the programme, particularly after the pressures of the past year. We hope that the Hello Future sessions will inspire many young people across Sussex into the next academic year and beyond.”
The Careers & Enterprise Company’s Director of Network Clare Hutchinson said this about the employment event.
“The Hello Future virtual careers event has been a superbly curated week of sessions that The Careers & Enterprise Company are delighted to have been involved in.”
She later added: “Our thanks go to all the businesses that provided support by engaging with young people and bringing the world of work to life, and the willingness of schools to embrace careers and embed it throughout the curriculum. The engagement from young people, parents and teachers have been strong all week which is a ringing endorsement.”
All of the sessions were recorded and are available for schools that participated on a password-protected section of the Hello Future website. For schools that didn’t take part but are looking to access the content material, they can contact penny.daly@coast2capital.org.uk or kelly.parkhouse@coast2capital.org.uk.
SUBSCRIBE
