VIA GIVES PRESTON PUPILS AN INSIGHT INTO THE WORKING WORLD

5 July 2012

Over 1000 young people from the Preston area got an insight in to the world of work at a special event this week organised by The Via Partnership.

Year 8 Students from high schools across the area were introduced to over 20 local employers from a range of industries, in order to gain an understanding of what working life is like and the different career options and routes available.

Our annual Preston EXPO event took place on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 July, and was designed to give pupils valuable firsthand knowledge to inform their career choices and prepare them for when they leave school.

Held at Preston College’s Fulwood Campus, the event saw an array of activities including workshops on hairdressing, beauty, retail and reflex training courses arranged by The Army.

A workshop on working in the beauty industry went down well with both girls and boys, with a group of boys from Corpus Christi Catholic Sports and Technology College challenging gender stereotypes and painting each others’ nails!  (See photos on our Flickr stream:   Flickr.com/ViaUK )

The employers who attended interacted with young people talking about the work their company involves and offered the students information as to what skills employers currently require.

Andy Fairbrother from hairdressing training company, Venture, said:  “The EXPO event was fantastic and gave young people to an insight into working for our company. I feel our input will help young people to discover a career path that they wish to follow, allowing them to make the right choices at school and/or college.  From a business point of view, our input as to what skills are required and informing the career choices of young people will result in a better skilled intake of young people coming to us when they leave education.”   

Kay Vaughan, Assistant Director at The Via Partnership said:  “The EXPO event really benefitted Preston’s young people and built on their knowledge of the working world.  It was also an excellent opportunity for businesses across the area to engage with young people and assist them with their career choices. Businesses who would like to be involved with our future activities can contact us on 01772 642444.”   

See photos from the event here on our Flickr stream:   Flickr.com/ViaUK