We hosted a week-long event of employer engagements in support of National Careers Week 2020.

The event attracted top employers including the NHS, Wigan Council, and global engineering company Aecom.

Students received careers advice, progression opportunities and information from a range of speakers across many industry sectors at the Parsons Walk Centre, Pagefield Centre and Leigh College.

The College’s Fab Futures team, who support the students in realising their career ambitions, linked up with Career Connect to bring in a host of big employers from a range of industries to kick start the week.

Maria Martin from Career Connect said: “I think this has been a very good idea as not many schools or colleges give their students a chance to engage with employers, and to have many different employers from a range of industry sectors in one place is beneficial for students.

“Everything has been really well organised by the college and this project, funded by the Careers and Enterprise company, is all about getting students thinking about their future and how the world of work is changing. I think the best way to do that is to hear from employers who are working in that industry so learners can hear their stories.”

Students received talks from global engineering company Aecom, IT professional services Computacenter UK, home builders Keepmoat, Jacob's Snacks, construction company Willmott Dixon and PDSA - Saving Pets Changing Lives charity, who all provided their expert experience and insights into their own backgrounds into successful careers.

Julie Wilson, Talent for Care Apprentice Co-ordinator for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust visited Level 3 Health & Social Care students to talk about allied professional roles within the NHS.

She spoke about her own inspirational career pathway to help raise the aspiration levels for students and talked about securing job roles within the NHS, apprenticeship schemes and stressed the importance of gaining valuable work experience.

Leigh’s Spinning Gate Management team also offered mock interviews at Leigh College for A Level Professional Honours Programme.

College Principal, Anna Dawe said: “Employer interactions are an essential part of studying here at College and assist the students greatly in preparing them for the next steps in their careers.

"We are extremely grateful to employers for the time given and the commitment they show to helping prepare the future workforce."