Southwark Careers Fair opens its doors to local schools
Southwark Careers Fair opened its doors to local schools this month (17-18 March) at London South Bank University’s (LSBU) Academy of SportSouthwark Careers Fair opened its doors to 1,000 pupils from local schools this month (17-18 March) at London South Bank University’s (LSBU) Academy of Sport, on London Road.
Southwark Council invited pupils from all of Southwark’s secondary schools and its partner schools in Lambeth to attend. School children from years 9 to 11 (14-17 year-olds) visited the fair over the course of two days.
Twenty-eight businesses were invited to exhibit at the fair and showcase the various future job and training opportunities available to them. Exhibitors were grouped into career zones – Care/Protect; Design/Create; Make/Build; Professions; Relax/Buy; Train/Learn. Students were invited to visit one exhibitor in each zone to learn about a broad spectrum of possible careers.
Professor Shan Wareing, LSBU’s lead representative for student experience said: “Hosting this year’s Southwark Careers Fair at LSBU is a real coup as it’s the first time the University has been given the opportunity to do this. It’s very exciting for us to be able to showcase real job opportunities and training programmes on offer to school pupils within the South East London area, strengthening LSBU’s ties with the local community and businesses."
Cllr Evelyn Akoto, Southwark’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Young People and Careers, said: “Southwark is brimming with opportunities for young people to begin brilliant careers, but not everyone is aware of all that is on offer.
"The fair has been organised by Southwark Council’s Education Business Alliance and kindly hosted by LSBU this year. It is a great opportunity for all our young people to meet a range of employers, and discover careers they may not have heard of. I hope they all come away feeling motivated and inspired to go on to do great things in our borough.”
Southwark Careers Fair is organised by Southwark Education Business Alliance (SEBA), which was formed in 1997, and Southwark Council. SEBA works with schools and businesses on projects to raise aspirations for young people by creating opportunities for them to access meaningful work-related activities.
Previous careers fairs were held at Guildhall in the City of London (2014) and Goldsmiths College, New Cross (2015-16).
Discover more about the work carried out by Southwark Education Business Alliance.