Pupils meet potential employers at inspirational event

Nearly 1,000 Year 9 students from Pendle enjoyed a day of aspiration and employer engagement at the annual Work Inspirations event.

More than 30 employers from across a wide range of industry sectors attended to encourage students to think big and understand the opportunities available to them.

Companies were divided into six industry areas – advanced manufacturing, creative economy, energy and environment, financial and professional services, health and social care and visitor economy.

Students from Colne Primet Academy, Marsden Heights Community College, Park High School, Pendle Vale College, Saints John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School and West Craven High School were encouraged to spend 10 minutes in each area to speak to employers and inspire their future choices.

Graham Cooke, a technology teacher from Park High School, said: “The event has been a great opportunity for students to meet local employers. I think Work Inspirations is important as students have the chance to meet employers as early as possible to find out in particular what qualifications they require so that they can use that as a motivator back in school.”

Nelson and Colne College hosted the event, which was funded by Pendle Council.

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council who leads on economic development said: “This is an important event for both young people and Pendle businesses.

“It opens students’ eyes to the great companies we have in Pendle and plays a part in creating a workforce for the future. Work Inspirations can help students to gear their studies, skills and training towards an exciting future career, hopefully here in Pendle.”

Employers in attendance on the day were: acdc, BAE Systems, Bright Engineering, Burnley FC in the Community, Chris Pugh Photography, cottages.com, Concept4, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Fagan and Whalley, Flexipol, Holiday Inn, James’ Places, McDonald’s, Media Village, Pendle Borough Council, Pendle Leisure Trust, Seafood Pub Company, Silentnight, Stanley House Vets, Stocks Hall Care Home, System Hygiene, Tailor Made and TTA Academy.

Simon Stead, people director at lighting specialist acdc, who are Nelson and Colne College’s Enterprise Advisor, said: “This year is the first time we have attended Work Inspirations and it has been a very useful experience for us. The event is superb and it has given acdc as a company a platform to inspire Year 9 students in Pendle with the story of who we are and what we do." “We had a few students approach us about work experience opportunities which is very encouraging as well a couple of others who are now reconsidering their career options. They didn’t realise companies like ourselves existed in the area that they live in, which highlights what the event is all about.”