Crowds Flock to Sandwell’s Connexions New Year New Start Careers Fair
Published 25th January 2023
A record 1,807 young people and parents attended Sandwell Council’s annual Connexions New Year New Start Careers Fair at the Hawthorns, West Bromwich on Saturday 21 January.
Visitors were able to meet over 50 employers, colleges, apprenticeships and training providers, all keen to inspire, recruit and educate the next generation of Sandwell young workers. Connexions personal advisers were also on hand to give independent careers information, advice and guidance so young people could discuss their options in detail. Three young people volunteers helped the day to run smoothly.
This year, the event expanded to include a quiet slot (9.30am-10.00am,) for our young people with special educational needs to visit and a designated Further/Higher Education Zone to promote the benefits of continuing in education.
One visitor said:
“Saturday was really informative, very helpful people and I came away with more opportunities to look into. Thank you for the invite.”
Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, Councillor Simon Hackett, said:
“It was an amazing event and great to see so many young people wanting to talk about their aspirations for the future. The Connexions Sandwell team do such a fantastic job for our young people in Sandwell and continue to be on-hand to offer careers and further learning advice.”
Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth, Councillor Peter Hughes, said:
“The Connexions Careers Fair goes from strength to strength, and it was great to see the impressive variety of career, apprenticeship and educational opportunities, across all sectors, available to our Young People on the day. I was particularly pleased to see the level of interest being shown in careers with the NHS, Social Care, Construction and Engineering – all sectors which are struggling to fill vacancies at the moment”.
Some comments from exhibitors were:
“Quality conversations and genuine interest in exploring options”, TARMAC plc.
“Today’s event has been very successful. We have engaged with numerous young people and parents about apprenticeships”, Apprenticeship Works.
Anyone who missed the event can always get help and support from Sandwell Connexions on 0121 569 2955 or by dropping into the One Stop Shop at Oldbury Council House on Mondays and Thursdays.