Host of employers offer students a look into the future at careers fair

More than 30 employers, universities and colleges converged on the Manchester Road school’s U Block Hall for the marketplace-style event.

Each of them eager to switch the hundreds of young people attending onto the potential job opportunities, apprenticeships, higher education and work placement offers available to them.

The stalls offered the young people valuable insights into how to take their next steps into a range of careers from science and engineering, law, the creative arts, digital technology and the armed forces.

Companies represented included prestigious players like Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, cutting-edge science and engineering giant Sellafield, through to blossoming homegrown success stories based at the new Leigh Spinners Mill development.

Lisa Hurst was at the event to represented furniture giant Sofology.

The Golborne-based business, which employs more than 1,200 people across 45 stores and six distribution centres, has just become the school’s new careers partner.

Corporal John Hunter from Army Recruitment with Riley Birchall, Ben Smith, Harrison Duckworth, Josh Hatherell

Student Abby Lewis goes into virtual reality with, Paul Whitworth and Jake Dearden from Sellafield

Zuzanna Majchrzak, Emily Coop and Gracie Brown explore 3D printing with Steven Tomlinson from Leigh Works

Lauren Pye, Ellie Carter-Brown and Sophie Cargill with Vicky Tyrell from Leigh Spinners Mill

Lisa said: “This is a really exciting time for both Sofology and Bedford High School and it’s great to be represented at the careers fair.

"A company like ours offers a whole range of job opportunities from working in sales through to personnel, logistics, IT, marketing, accountancy and more.

“Because we are locally-based we employ a lot of people from the area so we are perfectly placed to become the school’s new partner.

"We will be working with Bedford to explore what we can offer in terms of work-placements, apprenticeships and job roles for Bedford students in the future.”

Vicky Tyrell, who is a community artist based at Leigh Spinners Mill, said: “This is a fantastic event that is helping to showcase local talent and opportunities.

"We are here to let the young people know more about how they can pursue a career in the creative arts and get involved in volunteering opportunities that could give them new skills and help their future job prospects.”

Bedford High School’s careers fair is an annual event which has become a real highlight in the school’s calendar. It gives those students choosing their GCSE options and preparing to sit exams the chance to think about the range of options open to them.

Year 10 student Mackenzie Barrow was at the fair to look at how to pursue his passion for engineering.

Mackenzie Barrow, Kayden Antrobus and Alex Rose with Paul Brown from Pendle College

Mackenzie said: “I have got lots of really useful information and advice.

"It’s given me a lot to think about. I did have a career path in mind but visiting the stalls and listening to everyone today has brought it to life.

"It’s an exciting time and I feel a lot more confident about the future.”

The event was also a chance for parents to visit the stalls and find out more about how best to support their children going forward.

Proud mum Rachel Garner was exploring further education options with son Tom, also in Year 10.

Rachel Garner and son Tom speak to Jack Deavon from Warrington UTC

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Rachel said: “It’s fantastic that the school puts on this event every year.

"Having so many different organisations together in one room has made it easy for us to examine what is on offer and what will be the best direction for Tom.”

Bedford High School head teacher Helen Phillips said: “We are extremely proud of all our young people here are at Bedford High School and we want to see everyone do the very best that they can to achieve their full potential.

"Our careers fair is one of the many activities we offer that gives our students a real advantage when it comes to the highly competitive world of jobs and careers.

“The careers fair offers our students information and advice on the opportunities that await them when they leave school, whether they be around the corner or across the world.

“What is pleasing about this year’s event is that we have seen a really strong presence from Leigh-based businesses, start-ups and creative industries that are helping to make the town a really attractive place to work and invest in.

"Ultimately our young people will help to shape the future direction of the town and if they choose to remain local they can have a significant impact on the local economy and the future prosperity of this town.”