4,000 Harlow students meet employers at careers fair

More than 400 students attended the event, held at Harlow College and supported by Essex County Council’s £1.33 million Essex Year of Opportunity campaign, which aims to remove barriers to work and education through skills-building and employer engagement.

A wide range of employers took part, including Essex Police, Affinity Water, Anglia Ruskin University, Virgin Media, De La Rue, and First Intuition.

The Princess Alexandra NHS Trust hosted an audiology workshop, while building services provider Chas Berger led a session on careers in construction.

Cllr Tony Ball, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for education excellence, lifelong learning, and employability, said: "Career events help young people realise their potential and start pursuing ambition. The Essex Year of Opportunity is pleased to be able to connect young people with employers to take these vital next steps towards a brighter future."

Annette Hall, employability and careers lead at Essex County Council, said the event aimed to show students the full breadth of opportunities available. She said: "The day inspired students to think about their futures, to open their eyes to what is out there.

"The construction workshop didn’t only look at the traditional careers everyone thinks relate to construction; they showcased so much more. The NHS workshop also looked at all the different roles within the NHS."

Lisa Martin-Whatley from De La Rue said it was eye-opening for students to learn that a nearby company makes their bank notes. She said: "It’s been fantastic, it’s been very interesting hearing the young people’s experience of using cash and the kind of careers they want to do.

"They were all quite surprised to know that just down the road from them there’s a company making the bank notes they get for pocket money, Christmas and birthdays."

Libby Milson, a student at the BMAT STEM Academy School, said: "Today has been so good, so interesting. I’ve learnt so much from everyone here."