Careers fair brings major employers to local secondary schools and supports students with career development

Witham MP, Priti Patel, has re-established her annual careers fair for local secondary school pupils, post pandemic.

The Careers Fair, was organised in conjunction with Essex Chambers of Commerce and hosted by Maltings Academy on Friday 1st July. The brainchild of Priti Patel MP, the Fair was attended by more than 500 year 10 students from three schools, Maltings Academy, Rickstones Academy and Thurstable School. Students were able to meet and talk to employers from a range of international, national and Essex based businesses, as well as a wide range of organisations involved in careers and skills development.

Exhibitors at the Fair, hosted by Maltings Academy, included Stansted Airport, DP London Gateway, Wilkin & Son, HSBC, Lower Thames Crossing and Essex & Suffolk Water, the NHS, Essex Police, Colchester Institute, University of Essex, Writtle College, Witham Sixth Form, Buildskill and Make Happen.

During her tour of the Careers Fair exhibition, Priti met many of the exhibitors and chatted extensively to the visiting students about the dynamic future employment opportunities and career paths that are open to them.

Speaking after the Fair, Priti said: “I am passionate about skills and employment opportunity for our young people and have over the last decade hosted many similar careers and employment fairs. Post pandemic, we must all support the learning and development of our young and being able to provide the opportunity today for the students at Maltings, Rickstones and Thurstable to talk directly to employers and advisors about their employment prospects and about further education was wonderful.

“I would like to give my personal thanks to the Head of Maltings Academy for hosting and organising the event, and to Essex Chambers of Commerce for marketing it to their members. Maltings continues to lead when it comes to the development and learning opportunities of local pupils and the school should be commended for the way in which they are supporting their pupils with new opportunities and experiences, post pandemic.”

Tony Degun, Careers Lead at Maltings Academy, said: “It was a pleasure to work with Priti and her team to make this event happen. It has proved a highly valuable opportunity for students from across North Essex to meet with a range of employers and providers, ahead of key decisions on their next steps in Year 11.

“After a range of successful Virtual Careers forums; it is nonetheless delightful to welcome exhibitors back for face-to-face encounters. The students attending were a credit to their schools with their behaviour and engagement. It was very rewarding to hear the amount of future and career-based conversations taking place.”

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