Event provides ideas and opportunities

Support and guidance were given to students during what is thought to be the largest careers fair held in a North East Lincolnshire school.

Waltham Toll Bar Academy's Clear Futures event saw hundreds of students given the opportunity to speak to a wide range of exhibitors including employers, apprenticeship providers and further and higher education representatives.

The afternoon saw Year 9 and 10 take time out from lessons to visit the event.

After school, there was an invitation to students from all year groups and schools to attend with their families, with a particular focus on the offer provided by Toll Bar Sixth Form.

Executive Principal Philip Dickinson said it had been a “fantastic” event.

“There was a real buzz in the room when our Years 9 and 10 met with exhibitors,” he said.

“You could feel the excitement and enthusiasm as they engaged with our guests. It was incredible.

“I'd like to thank the staff who've organised the event and the exhibitors who have been so positive with our students.

“They have given me great feedback, saying they had been blown away by the high levels of conversations they had enjoyed with our students about their futures.”

Assistant Head of Sixth Form Richard Foster was delighted by the engagement of Years 9 and 10.

“They asked really good, appropriate questions having received a brief beforehand in their careers lesson,” he said.

“I believe this is the biggest school careers fair in the local area. It's terrific to see big employers such as Nestle and Amazon here for the first time.”

Behind the Nestle stall was Will Moody, who left Toll Bar Sixth Form last summer after completing A-levels.

The 18-year-old moved to York to take up a four-year chartered management degree apprenticeship with the multi-national. Every Friday, he is released to study through Coventry University.

“I did not want to pay for a degree and this was the perfect option,” he said. “I enjoyed GCSE and A-level study here but thought it was time to get on the career ladder.

“I thought that I'd be up against thousands of people after a degree at the same time and it would be hard to be differentiated from others.

“This way I get to work for a big company, get paid and still end up with a Batcheler of Arts Management and Leadership Degree.

“Nestle paid a relocation package for me to move to York. The first month was tough but once I got used to it, I was fine.

“It's a fantastic company to work for and I have two volunteering days, one of which I've enjoyed spending here.”

Apprentices who used to study at Waltham Toll Bar were also behind the Tronox stand.

Mercedez Snowdon and Mia Waters, both 18, left Waltham Toll Bar after GCSEs to join the company, which produces titanium dioxide from its plant in Stallingborough.

Mercedez said: “Like a lot of people, I had options but didn't really know what I wanted to do.

“I had five interviews and was offered four jobs. With Tronox, I not only preferred the career but also the people I would be working with, and they offered flexibility, with some time spent working from home.”

The two-year apprenticeship as a health, safety and environmental technician has six months to run. She studies at college one day a week and will end up with a NEBOSH qualification.

“It has been brilliant to come back to the school and see everyone,” she said.

Mia is on the second year of a three-year apprenticeship and, when she completes is next March, she will be a mechanical technician. As part of it, she is studying for a HNC at North Lindsey College in Scunthorpe.

“I've always enjoyed working with my hands and I enjoyed maths and science at school, so engineering seemed the right way to go,” she said.

Karl Rhodes, another former student, brought 12-year-old daughter Lola, in Year 8 at the school, to the event.

“We thought it was an opportunity to hear about the many opportunities available when she leaves school,” he said. “It's obviously early days for Lola but the event has given her plenty to think about.”

Lola said: “We've spoken to nearly everyone. I don't know what I want to do and I wanted to come and look for ideas.”

Becky Mills, Director of OTE Construction, based in Hull, was full of praise for the students and organisation.

“We do a lot of these careers fairs on both sides of the Humber and this is one of the best we have attended,” she said.

“It's been a breath of fresh air to talk to students as young as Year 9 who are interested in their careers.”