Wigan and Leigh College students meet big name employers at careers fair

The Centre of Excellence in engineering at the college’s Pagefield site attracted a mixture of high profile employers in the engineering and construction sectors.

Rolls-Royce came to highlight the importance of engineering and the products they create (from civil aviation to defence and nuclear designs) and were impressed with how keen students were to learn about opportunities within the company.

Technical programme manager at Rolls-Royce Madeline Macdonald said: “Getting the word out about engineering is important – I think the links with this college particularly are really important as it is engineering based and not everybody does that and I hope Rolls-Royce continue to have this link.

“The students have been really engaging and actually, nearly everyone has spoken to us and been very interested in what we do so it’s been brilliant.”

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The college puts a huge emphasis on careers and its strategy is aligned to make sure that all students have meaningful and positive interactions with employers such as the careers fair as well as work experience and industrial placement opportunities and many guest speakers from subject related industries.

The event coincided with National Apprenticeship Week, and many employers who visited were promoting their apprenticeship schemes as well as graduate schemes.

Global design and engineering company,

Atkins emphasised their apprenticeship opportunities and were excited by the knowledge and interest from the students.

Graduate transport planner Chloe Foulkes from Atkins said: “It was fantastic to see so many of the learners engaged and ready to ask questions about the opportunities on offer to them.

“Many of them seemed interested in perusing the apprenticeship route which was great to see as Atkins also recognises this route as an important and extremely credible start to a career.

“People in our Early Careers teams (apprentices and graduates) make up the majority of our members of staff in the UK and so it’s important we encourage high calibre applicants to apply."

The event was organised by the college’s FAB Futures team who support the students in realising their career ambitions.

Students also received information from HSBC, who were present to deliver careers advice on employability and different job roles within the bank to students at both Leigh College and Parsons Walk Centre.

Employers including Network Rail, Sellafield Ltd, Keepmoat Construction, Electricity North West, Environment Agency and The Royal Navy also attended as well as Wigan Council’s Aspiring Futures team.