"Events like this are fantastic because to meet a lot of people like this would take so much time and research to pull everyone together. I just turn up and am in a room with people with whom I am now connected."

Careers leaders from schools and colleges across the county attended the event at Warwick Racecourse. They heard from a series of speakers who each brought their own perspective to the subject, while attendees were also able to network and talk to each other about the challenges they face in engaging young people in potential careers in the Care and Early Years sectors.

 

Speakers at the event were Lynn Bassett (Warwickshire Learning and Development Partnership), Dr Abigail Grant-Williams (director and manager of The Tots’ Clubhouse – Childcare, Atherstone), Chloe Wade (Workforce Development Lead, South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust and Paula Cashmore (Care Quality Commission, Adult Care Achievable Care).

 

All had valuable things to say as the careers leaders heard about the broad variety of opportunities for learners of all abilities and ages within the sectors. They also offer huge potential for career progression.

 

Among the attendees was Sharon O’Donnell, Careers Coordinator at North Leamington School, who believes the Insight Days delivered by Warwickshire Careers Hub are a great initiative which leaves careers leader better-informed and equipped to support colleagues and students at their schools and colleges.

 

“The event was inspirational because it showed the positive sides of a career in the care sector,” said Sharon. “I now have knowledge and connections that I can take back to the school to talk to the teachers and possibly organise an event along these lines.

“It will be hugely beneficial because we have a lot of kids who are studying Health & Social but are wondering ‘where are we going with this?’ There are so many that have the characteristics and attributes needed for a career in care, so now we can give them information about options which might make them think ‘wow, I can do this.’

 

“Events like this are fantastic because to meet a lot of people like this would take so much time and research to pull everyone together. I just turn up and am in a room with people with whom I am now connected. At previous ones I have made connections that have helped me with work experience, organising careers fairs, networking and contacting agencies. It’s great to meet in person the people from Warwickshire Careers Hub so that now when something comes up in school I can reach out. They are my ‘go to’ and they are brilliant.”

 

The Careers Insights Day was the second in a series which will cover a range of sectors. The next will focus on Logistics and Construction (March 13th at Eliot Park, Nuneaton) followed by Hospitality, Finance and Business Operations (May 6th at Warwick Racecourse).

 

Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, Cllr Martin Watson said: “The Careers Insights Days are a great way of supporting careers leaders from across the county to help their students find the future that is right for them.

 

“Our team at Warwickshire Careers Hub has immense knowledge and expertise to pass on. These events mix all that with the knowledge and expertise of the careers leaders themselves and the result is a really valuable collaboration.”