Youngsters have been given tips on the world of business thanks to a career event
Pupils were given insider knowledge on the world of business thanks to a career speed-networking event held at a Cornish school.
More than 100 students at Sir James Smith’s Community School in Camelford took part in the event organised by Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership.
The Year Nine students, who will be taking their GCSE course options in the next few months, were given the chance to speak to local business people about some of the career options open to them.
Business leaders from Total Energy Solutions, The Seafood Restaurant, Devon and Cornwall Police, Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, Natwest Bank and PFA Research gave up their time to support the event.
Among them was Alastair Carnegie, managing director of Cornish energy broker Total Energy Solutions, who said mentoring young people was essential to help prepare them for the world of work.
“It is really important for local businesses to play their part in mentoring youngsters,” he said.
“By businesses getting involved in talking to and mentoring young people of school age, we can begin to prepare them for the job market, develop their skills and help them believe in a positive future. It helps to broaden their horizons about the opportunities that are out there for them, particularly in the South West,” he added.
Kate Whetter, Education Projects Manager at Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership, said: “The careers speed networking event has been a huge success for the students taking part.
“It has been a great opportunity to foster young people’s interest in the workplace and to inform them of the range of careers available to them.”
Gill Bolton, Careers and Work Experience Co-ordinator at the school, added: “The whole event provided a wonderful insight, for our students, into a range of industries, and the need for excellence and constant self-improvement.
“There can be nothing more beneficial to young people than being given the opportunity to talk to employees, and employers, face-to-face and gain guidance from them regarding the skills required in the workplace.”