Careers inspiration for thousands at Bucks Skills Show 2024
A huge careers event for the whole of Buckinghamshire has opened the eyes of people of all ages to the careers and training opportunities available to them.
More than 6,000 visitors gave their future prospects a boost as they were welcomed through the doors of Buckinghamshire’s largest careers inspiration event, the Bucks Skills Show, on March 6th & 7th at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. Organised by the Buckinghamshire Skills Hub, the Bucks Skills Show has been inspiring people to succeed in their dream career for years, and this year was no exception.
The countywide careers event opened people’s eyes to the many different job opportunities available, helping them engage face-to-face with over 125 employers, get stuck into a range of interactive activities, and learn from guest speakers such as Paul Skitt from Flannery, Max McGarvie from Zenopa, Luisa Clarke from the NHS, and Yasmin Chowdhary from CISCO, who all shared their career journeys and industry insider tips.
Denham-based ejection seat manufacturer Martin Baker, who exhibited at the show, explained: “The Bucks Skills Show has given us as a company the opportunity to meet enthusiastic individuals who are interested in the world of engineering and STEM.”
While Aylesbury-based cybersecurity firm Red Helix said: “This event has helped us show young people different career paths within our industry and has opened up many opportunities for work experience and possible apprenticeships.”
In addition to welcoming students in Year 9 and above, and 300 teachers from all schools across Buckinghamshire, more than 600 individuals attended an evening session which welcomed adult career seekers and parents. One parent who visited with two children aged 16 and 18 explained: “We gained so much more than we expected, and it was nice to see my children interacting with the businesses and to realise they have so many options moving forward with their next stages of life.”
Marina Jackson, Under 19 Skills Manager & Careers Hub Lead at Buckinghamshire Skills Hub, said: “It was heart-warming to see the excitement of all of those in attendance as they met businesses from a wide range of sectors, as well as education providers, gathering information about their potential next steps. Whether its students planning for their future, young adults looking to take their first big step into work, or people of any age wanting to change career paths, our goal is to help every individual find what is right for them, whether that’s higher and further education, training, apprenticeships, or employment.”
More than 125 employers showcased careers and pathways into Construction; Civil Engineering; Creative, Film & TV; Digital Technology; High Performance Engineering; Manufacturing & Space; Medical, Healthcare & Social Care; Business, Finance & Professional Services; Charities and Public Sector; and Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure.
In addition, educational bodies representing universities, colleges and independent providers shared advice on how people could take their next steps in education, training and development.
A representative of international professional services company Stantec, who exhibited at the show, said of their time at the event: “As a graduate, having been to many careers fairs across my education, and now representing as one of the companies at the fair, I can confidently say that this is one of the best events I have come across. Bravo!”
This year’s Bucks Skills Show was supported by headline sponsorship from SYLO Beyond HR, and partner sponsorship from Buckinghamshire College Group, as well as the following sector sponsors: Flannery Plant Hire, Atkins, CUBE, Alcom IT, Align JV, Buckinghamshire New University, DeSoutter Medical, Zenopa, and Fairhive.
The Confident Futures Skills Show, a similar careers inspiration event for career seekers with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or those facing barriers entering the workforce, will take place on June 6th 2024. Employers who would like to exhibit can sign up online now at bbf.uk.com/event/confident-futures-skills-show-2024.
To learn more about key sectors in Buckinghamshire and to discover the career that’s right for you, visit our Sector Hub.
