Wigan & Leigh College recently hosted its annual Careers Fair attracting some of the country’s top employers to meet ambitious students who were keen to discuss their aspirations and find out more about the wide range of career opportunities available.

Staff from the BBC were present to deliver workshops on employability to students at both Leigh College and Parsons Walk Centre. Students also received tips and advice about what the company look for in an applicant as well as essential skills including interview techniques and making a good first impression.

BBC Manager of Staffing and Business, Glen Bertram said: “The students have been interested and engaging. I enjoy preparing young people as I know it’s going to help them as they move into an apprenticeship or employment. Within all sectors there are niche jobs that young people might not be aware of”.

The event was organised by the College’s FAB Futures team who support the students in realising their career ambitions.

Global construction firm ISG also attended the popular event and gained lots of interest from students, particularly at the College’s Centre of Excellence in Engineering at its Pagefield Centre.

Tony Dougan, Senior Project Manager for ISG Construction said: “We work alongside the College’s Engineering and Construction departments to provide preparation for employment opportunities for its students”.

“Previously we were responsible for refurbishing Wigan Town Hall and during the project mentored the work placement students which led to an opportunity for full-time employment within the company.”

Large companies such as Volvo Cars UK and Adactus Housing Group Ltd as well as organisations including the RAF, Army and Merchant Navy were all keen to engage in discussion with students about the many diverse roles available and the next steps to securing the best positions”.

Former Engineering students who are now in careers as Design Engineers with Sellafield Ltd, returned to College to highlight the need for young engineers, which has taken on more significance after the government declared 2018 the Year of Engineering.

Sellafield’s Control Electrical & Instrumentation Designer, Dylan Wilding said: “We are hoping to make more young people aware of our apprenticeship scheme and the roles within the engineering industry. We recognise that nationally we have a shortage of engineers and with the age gap getting wider between new starters and some of the current engineers we need to get more young people choosing engineering as a career to fill this skills gap”.

“We are looking for apprentices to operate with integrity and who are passionate about engineering. They can benefit from getting the experience of working in industry and gaining a qualification at the same time while earning too”.

Wigan & Leigh College engages with a variety of employers to help shape the future workforce and ensure that its students are leaving education ready for the workplace. For further information, visit www.wigan-leigh.ac.uk.

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