The Confident Futures Skills Show returned to Stoke Mandeville Stadium on 11th June 2024. This experiential careers event aimed at young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and others facing barriers to employment, enabled over 500 young people, parents/carers and teachers to connect with over 50 employers and next steps providers, including universities, colleges, and apprenticeship programmes.
More than 300 students from 17 different schools visited with their teachers during the day, and 100 young people and adults joined the after-school session. The event provided a great opportunity for individuals who often experience barriers to securing employment to interactively engage with organisations and to find out more about what it is like to work in key industries. They discussed the skills needed to get their first job, and what steps they should take between now and applying for a job.
Organised by Buckinghamshire Skills Hub, partnered by Buckinghamshire College Group and sponsored by SYLO Beyond HR, the local HR consultants who foster diversity and inclusion, other exhibitors at the show included Flannery Plant Hire, Align, Buckinghamshire New University, Zenopa, Fairhive Homes, the NHS, Buckinghamshire Council, the National Film & Television School, Central Training Group, and the Royal Navy.
Marina Jackson, Under 19 Skills Manager, Buckinghamshire Skills Hub, said: “Another fantastic show! This event is going from strength to strength and the feedback from both students and exhibitors alike has been wonderful.”
One teacher from Sir Thomas Freemantle School commented: “I was pleasantly surprised by how much the kids engaged with the exhibitors. It was really interesting for them to find out about different careers options, and we will definitely be coming to the next one.”
“The best thing about the show is all the networks and partnerships you can access to help support young adults with special educational needs find future employment. It’s such a warm environment”, said John Wallbank, exhibiting on behalf of Fairhive Homes.
Fiona Darling-Glinski, the Learning Manager for the National Paralympic Heritage Trust, said: “It’s wonderful that you have created the right environment for children with special needs – it's so much more relaxing than other shows. Every stall has a way to engage the children and a lot of thought has really gone into how everything is presented. It was also great to have the speakers at the workshop sharing the message about how to become a disability-confident employer.”
Buckinghamshire Business First is proud to be campaigning to encourage businesses to sign up as Disability Confident Employers. To this end, there was a ‘Becoming a Disability Confident Employer’ workshop for exhibitors and other businesses held in the lunchtime break at the Confident Futures Skills Show which gave guidance and information about taking steps to a more inclusive workplace. Over 35 attendees came to this inspiring and informative workshop.
For extensive skills and careers information, including bespoke support for career seekers with SEND, please explore the Bucks Skills Hub website, contact one of the skills team at info@BucksSkillsHub.org, or call 01494 927130.
