In my role, I work with young people from vulnerable backgrounds to help them explore opportunities and unlock their potential. For some students, the idea of further education or apprenticeships is out of reach, and it’s my job to show them that these options — and so much more — are available after they finish the school year.
I discovered Skills London online and was immediately impressed by what was offered. It was free to attend, which was a bonus to my students. After a couple of minutes of scrolling, I learned there would be over 50,000 live jobs and apprenticeships in one place and the opportunity to speak to over 200 employers.
Arriving at the fare, I was shocked by the size of the event – it was huge! There was something to look at in every direction and there was a buzz of excitement in the air. We agreed on a time to meet back up, and off they went.
As we walked around, many of the exhibitors’ stands had an activity — it wasn’t just a banner and a leaflet. These were great as they gave attendees hands-on experience in that particular industry and were always fun. One that I remember everyone enjoying came from a hospitality brand that spoke to students and young people about working in hotels. Their activity was a race to see who could make a hotel bed the quickest. Watching them race while sticking to the hotel’s high standards was highly entertaining. Hopefully, it was an extra skill they took home.
We left Skills London with some freebies and a lot of information. Many students don’t understand how many options are available, but the fare did an excellent job of putting those options in front of their eyes. For vulnerable children, they don’t think they fit into the apprenticeships or college courses, so it was fantastic to see them speak and engage with professionals who started from those positions.
I would encourage anyone thinking about their next steps or who needs a little help in the right direction to attend Skills London. Everyone we spoke to was kind and answered all our questions. I’m very proud of the students I came with and excited to see what their future holds.
