Over 500 students attended the very first careers fair at The Axholme Academy last month to learn about their options after leaving school.

The Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub helps facilitate relationships between employers, young people and individual schools and colleges. The careers fair was organised by Career Lead Jo Spencer-Hall and Nick Andrew, Managing Director of CWE, who was paired with the school as an Enterprise Advisor. 

The Careers Hub is funded by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, the Careers and Enterprise Company and the Humber Outreach Programme. 

The event, which took place on 8th February, raised awareness of the many different pathways that students can take into employment, including vocational routes as well as further education. It helped pupils to ask questions about their futures and to consider apprenticeship routes during this year's National Apprenticeship Week.  

Nick Andrew said: “We were delighted to take part in the Axholme Academy Careers Fair. We enjoyed meeting the students and discussing opportunities to come aboard with CWE, for a career in rail.  

“At CWE, we are passionate about the future of our industry, which is why we take every chance we get to support tomorrow's talent.”   

The Careers Hub links allowed the pupils to explore their options in a variety of professions following on from education. A selection of employers attended, including CWE, Northern Power Grid, Ørsted, DFDS, PD Hook and Reckitt.  

The activities contributed to the school’s wider Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) strategy focusing on benchmark five, which concentrates on ensuring employers have frequent engagement with schools and young people receive regular interactions with local businesses. 

Jo Spencer-Hall, one of the organisers of the event said: “Thank you to all of the exhibitors who spoke to students, parents/carers and teachers and helped to make The Axholme Academy's first careers fair the success it was.  

“The impact and feedback has been very positive with students taking away valuable experience, encounters and conversations that will help shape their pathways and progression through the academy and beyond."