Local businesses inspire Ribblesdale high school students

Over 400 Year 11 students from Ribblesdale High School have heard about the amazing opportunities available to them from local business leaders.

Representatives from Scott Dawson Advertising, Peter Scott Printers, Studio Retail/Frasers Group, Sundown Solutions, North Lancs Training Group (NLTG) and The Vita Group, attended the Ribble Valley based school, organised by #AmazingAccrington, on Monday 4th September.

Pupils heard about the fantastic range of opportunities available to them during an enthralling morning of careers advice, from Apprenticeships and marketing, to cyber, science and retail.

Murray Dawson, chair of #AmazingAccrington, managing director of Scott Dawson Advertising and owner of Peter Scott Printers, said: “This has been our first time visiting this school as a group of business leaders, and it has been amazing to speak to 400 Year 11 students about all the fantastic opportunities available, including careers in the creative industries, and the response from the students has been brilliant.”

Heath Groves,  CEO at Sundown Solutions, added: “Ribblesdale High School are a Microsoft Trainer Academy, so it is very important for us to be here as your expert Microsoft Service Provider. It is really inspirational to talk to the younger generation about the digital and tech industry, and hopefully we can inspire them into a career with us.”

Alisha Clarkson, marketing executive at NLTG, commented: “Going into schools and speaking to students about their career paths is so important to us. I was an apprentice myself, so it is important to make sure they know what their options are.”

Sarah Dovaston from Studio Retail Limited/Frasers Group, said: “At Studio we have so many different careers and we are really passionate about letting the students know just how many opportunities there are out there. That includes everything from IT, to HR, to designers and to marketing, there is a lot we can offer as a group.”

Dr Sam Hill from The Vita Group, added: “We have had an incredible morning here at Ribblesdale High School. We employ 150 people in Accrington and are currently recruiting chemists, so it has been amazing to speak to the students today and see how enthusiastic they all are for the future.”

Sharon Jennison, subject leader for citizenship at Ribblesdale High School, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to the #AmazingAccrington business leaders for giving up their time to come and speak to our students. It is so important that our students know about the choices out there, including Apprenticeships, college and the direct routes into the work place.”

You can keep up-to-date with the latest opportunities across Hyndburn on the #AmazingAccrington’s dedicated opportunities website: https://opportunities.amazingaccrington.co.uk/