#AmazingAccrington Futures event to inspire Year 11s

#AmazingAccrington brings businesses, the education sector and young people in Hyndburn closer together, to improve outcomes for education and future careers.

The organisation is holding its second Futures event on Thursday 6th October, where all Year 11s in Hyndburn from each secondary school will be given the opportunity to meet with businesses, and be given information on future career pathways.

The private event, to be held at Accrington Town Hall on Thursday 6th October, will see all Year 11s in Hyndburn – some 1,000 young people – be given a free bus to the event, which will be sponsored by North Lancs Training Group, Studio Retail Ltd and Accrington and Rossendale College.

Exhibitors from local businesses, Higher Education establishments, training providers, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, and Tech sectors will be represented. Employers such as the Police and the Army will join local companies including Studio Retail Ltd, Property Shop, Trinity Care Group, E&R and Daisy Communications in showcasing their many and varied career paths.  

Careers in software development, cyber security, and high tech manufacturing are among some of the exciting and inspirational exhibitors, brought together to inspire the young people and raise their ambitions. The Code Show is making an appearance, supporting Sundown Solutions with their exhibits and recruitment.

Education pathways will also be on display – with a great variety of further education options, plus apprenticeships in traditional, and modern industries such as software development. North Lancs Training Group and Accrington and Rossendale College can additionally offer pre-apprenticeship courses for those who aren’t ready to go straight into an apprenticeship, or who may benefit from additional support. 

Murray Dawson, chair of Amazing Accrington and MD of Scott Dawson Advertising, said “We continue to run a programme of events bringing businesses together with school aged children, and I hope this event is even more inspirational this year. It’s important to show them career pathways, to retain talent in the borough." 

Sara Britcliffe MP added: “Last year’s event was inspirational to see, and I am looking forward to great things from this year’s event. Inspiring our young people to raise their ambitions is so important for Hyndburn.”

Heath Groves, CEO of Sundown Solutions, commented: “Amazing Accrington have been key to introducing us to schools, enabling us to inform them about high quality tech jobs right here in Accrington – we have recruited people from these events, and I hope this event inspires many more.” 

Gareth Lindsay, MD of North Lancs Training Group, added “Apprenticeships are something the young people might not have considered or would like more information about.  We have over 300 live Apprenticeship vacancies in a great variety of different fields. The Futures event is an ideal opportunity to get that message across to every Year 11 student.”

Collette King, HR director at Studio Retail Ltd, said “We’re the largest employer in Hyndburn, and I want to make sure every young person knows the wide variety of good careers we have on offer here at Studio.”

Morag Davis, centre principal for Accrington & Rossendale College added, “We recently received an Outstanding Ofsted rating, as part of Nelson and Colne College Group, and this event is a great way for us to highlight why we are the only Outstanding Further Education college in Lancashire and how we support young people across the region to achieve beyond their goals.”

The event is open to the public and parents after the private school visits, and you can call into Accrington Town Hall any time between 3pm and 5.30pm. 

Businesses still have the opportunity to join in, showcase their companies and inspire the young people of Hyndburn as their future workforce. To apply to be included simply email [email protected]

#AmazingAccrington has an area on its website for opportunities, showcasing education, training, apprenticeships and opportunities. This can be found here: opportunities.amazingaccrington.co.uk