Amazing Accrington Futures event a major success at Accrington Town Hall

Over 1,000 Year 11 students and parents/guardians from Hyndburn schools and around East Lancashire attended the Amazing Accrington Futures event in Accrington Town Hall.

The event, sponsored by North Lancs Training Group (NLTG), Studio Retail Ltd and Accrington & Rossendale College, welcomed exhibitors from local businesses, Higher Education establishments, training providers, Armed Forces, Emergency Services and Tech sectors.  

Employers such as the Police and the Army joined local companies such as Sundown Solutions and Emerson & Renwick in showcasing their many and varied career paths.

Parents and guardians from across East Lancashire including Burnley, Blackburn, Ribble Valley, Rossendale and Hyndburn, were also invited along to the event from 5-7pm to learn more about the opportunities available to their children.

Careers in software development, cyber security, and high tech manufacturing are among some that you might not think were in great need locally – but vacancies are currently open.

Hosted by Amazing Accrington, a cross section of business leaders from private and public sectors in conjunction with MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, Sara Britcliffe, and Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, the event saw Year 11 students attending from St Christophers C of E High School, Mount Carmel RC High School, Oswaldtwistle School, Hyndburn Academy, Rhyddings School and The Hollins Technology College.

Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, said: “What a fantastic day it was. We had all our young people there, as well as parents and guardians attending to see the opportunities here in Hyndburn and beyond. Thank you to all the businesses that came along and to the teachers who said how brilliant it was to have all this under one roof for their pupils. This is all about our young people’s futures in the borough.”

Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, added: “It just shows what can be done when everyone comes together and works together, to deliver such a fantastic event in our Town Hall for our young people and our future students who are going to go on and work within the town and the wider borough.

“It’s a real credit for the schools and to #AmazingAccrington for putting on the event. A big thank you to all the sponsors, Studio, North Lancs Training Group and Accrington & Rossendale College. What a successful day it was.”

Rick Cheshire, assistant headteacher at St Christopher’s C Of E High School Academy, said: “All 200 of our Year 11s attended the event, had a look around the stalls and can now make well informed decisions about a future that’s right for them.”

Hayley Stewart, school liaison officer at Accrington & Rossendale College, said: “It was a really worthwhile event for us, talking to lots of Year 11 students about their education and about their future. We are very keen to raise the aspirations in the borough and events like this are essential for doing that.”

James Oldroyd, learning and development partner at Studio Retail, added: “It was really, really worthwhile meeting lots of local schools and colleges, telling them about what Studio do and all the potential career opportunities that we have available, both for our future stars but also for people that are currently looking for a role now, whether that’s temporary or permanent.”

Judith Dutton, lead teacher of travel and tourism, BTEC quality control at Rhyddings School, commented: “I would like to say a huge thank you. Having spoken to the students on the way back, the vast majority came back well informed & enthused. I certainly learnt a lot as well!"

Dean Duffy, recruitment officer at WEC Group Limited, said: "What a fantastic event, it was extremely well organised and very beneficial for the WEC Group, we came back empty handed which is always a good sign!"

Leesa Amin, PSCHE lead at The Oswaldtwistle School, said: “Our students thoroughly enjoyed it, they enjoyed speaking to new people and learning what’s on offer to them. A lot of students didn’t know you could do what you can do. They’ve taken away a lot of materials, we’ll go through them with our students and hopefully open many doors for them.”

#AmazingAccrington have launched a new area of their website for Opportunities, showcasing education, training, apprenticeships and opportunities. This can be found here: opportunities.amazingaccrington.co.uk