West Suffolk College and West Suffolk Council collaborate to create careers event for primary schools

05 Oct 2022

350 youngsters from 12 educational establishments are set to take part in one of the only careers events for primary schools in the country.

The ‘Skills Escalator Days’, timed to coincide with the West Suffolk Business Festival, will see a variety of industries create interactive sessions that will give an insight into a range of different job opportunities. This will take place over two days at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds.

Youngsters aged between four and eight will get a window into the world of employment from augmented reality to emergency services on 10-11 October 2022.

This occasion has been organised by the College in partnership with West Suffolk Council and will be supported by a range of organisations that include BT, Morgan Sindall Construction, the RAF, Suffolk Police, the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, Urban XR and others.

In addition to this, sessions will take place at Edmunds, the College restaurant, as part of a campaign called Choose Hospitality. The campaign aims to inspire more young people to consider careers in pubs, hotels and restaurants.

The event will also encompass “BUILDtastic”, a West Suffolk College collaboration with the New Anglia LEP Building Growth Fund to shine a light on careers in construction. Debbie Coomes, Assistant Principle from West Suffolk College said: ““BUILDtastic is excited to be joining the Skills Escalator Days. Research shows that we can influence young children about the career paths they follow from as early as four years old. We are looking forward to networking and linking our fabulous partners and sponsors in the Construction industry. This two day event will open their eyes and give the youngsters a taste of what they might like to do as their chosen pathway. What’s more we will be educating them, their teachers and their parents. It will be an exciting event.”

Skills Escalator Days are the brainchild of Victoria Fiebelkorn, Skills Escalator Lead from West Suffolk College. She said: “The Skills Escalator is all about creating a highly capable and prepared future workforce to support our local economy – this event provides practical career related learning, the effect of this on the decisions, aspirations and attitudes of primary aged children has been widely documented. To the best of my knowledge Skills Escalator Days are the only event based around careers for this age group in the country.”

Cllr Susan Glossop, Cabinet Member for Growth, West Suffolk Council said: “After seeing how well the children responded to the first Skills Escalator Days earlier this year in Haverhill, I am delighted to see the event come to Bury St Edmunds so more children can reap the benefit. Access to skills is a priority for the council and by working together with partners to deliver these events enables us to engage young children with local employers and get them thinking about their future.”

Helen Clements of Morgan Sindall Construction said: “We are delighted to engage with so many children from so many schools and support such a unique event.”
The event will help underpin the College’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and schools within walking distance are being encouraged to walk their children rather than take a bus. Thanks to Vertas, the College is able to provide children with Hi Vis vests to wear whilst walking in.

The Skills Escalator Days will be moving on to other parts of the region throughout the 2022/23 academic year with future sessions planned in Haverhill, Ipswich and Sudbury.

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