CANVEY will be hosting its first ever skills and careers show next month to showcase the career opportunities which exist for young people on the island.

The first Canvey Skills and Careers Show will be held at The Paddocks on Wednesday, March 6.

The event will have stands and representatives from different higher education institutions, further education providers, sixth forms as well as local and regional employers and community and support groups.

There will also be professionals to offer one-to-one information, advice and guidance (IAG) sessions, presentations on employability and transferable skills.

Between 9.30am and 2pm, Year Nine and Ten pupils at Cornelius Vermuyden and Castle View School will be attending to see what is on offer.

Between 5pm and 8pm, the event opens up to the whole community.

The entire event has been organised by Make Happen, a programme designed to inspire young people to progress to higher education to achieve a brighter future.

The aim is to deliver the same quality as a national careers event but heavily emphasising the opportunities in Canvey, Southend and the rest of south Essex.

Holly Ramsey, of Make Happen, said: “The main aim of Canvey Skills and Careers Fair is to show the young people of Canvey Island what transferable skills they need to succeed in their chosen career path.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to pass on their knowledge and motivate their future workforce.

“We want the young people to come away from the event feeling excited about their future and inspired by the range of opportunities available to them in the area.”

Henry Emoni, senior leader at Cornelius Vermuyden School, said: “The Careers Fair provides an opportunity for pupils to increase their knowledge about careers and pathways towards them.

“This event will lead to increased aspirations for careers, more understanding of the importance of skills and greater motivation to pursue higher levels of education.”

Essex Police will be attending the event to recruit for a wide range of roles.

Becky Humphreys, Head of Resourcing for Essex Police said: “We are currently actively recruiting in all communities for a variety of roles with Essex Police.

“The Canvey Skills and Careers Show next month will provide us with the opportunity to engage with people who are looking for a future career in policing – whether this be as a police officer, a volunteer within our Special Constabulary or a member of police staff within our various support roles, such as our control room taking 999 calls.

“The opportunities are varied and we are really keen to attract people from all different backgrounds to come and join our policing family. So come along to The Canvey Skills and Careers Show where the Essex Police team are looking forward to meeting you on the 6th March.”

“If you are interested in exploring our opportunities, then visit our website to see what we have to offer – there could be a role for you- visit https://www.essex.police.uk/join-the-police/.”

The Echo is the media sponsor of the event and will also be attending.

News Editor Adam Cornell said: “This is more than a Careers Fair – it’s a celebration of the young people of Canvey. It’s an opportunity for local employers to meet the local, upcoming talent and to have an influence on the skills development and education choices of the future workforce. “

He added: “As media sponsor, we will be there talking to young people about the opportunities that exist in the world of journalism and the pathways that young people can take for a career in the news.”

“We will be showcasing all the roles including photography, journalism, sports reporting, advertising sales and digital presentation and looking out for young people who have that something that will take them to a great future”.

Employers who want to have a stall at the event can book by emailing holly.ramsey@essex.ac.uk or going to makehappen.org/canvey-skills-and-careers as soon as possible.

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