Parents urged to support teenagers to make ‘informed choices’ at 10th annual Careers Fest

The Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) hopes parents from across Oxfordshire will head to major careers event’s ‘twilight session’ this upcoming January 

The Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) is encouraging young people – with the support of their parents – to make ‘informed choices’ about future job prospects ahead of a major careers eventwhich is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Staff from the OxLEP Skills team hope to persuade families from across the county to attend its 10th annual Careers Fest eventto be held at MINI Plant Oxford in January next year.

Following its successful introduction at the 2018 Careers Fest OxLEP will again be hosting an evening ‘twilight’ session. Thereit hopes to encourage both teenagers – and their parents – to meet with an expected 60 employers and training providers many of whom offer a variety of apprenticeship and training schemes.

Last year businesses including MINI Plant Oxford the UK Atomic Energy Agency Microsoft SophosNielsen and Thames Valley Police met with hundreds of young people and their parents. It’s expected many new employers – including several from Oxfordshire’s globally-renowned science and innovation businesses – will also be on-hand to discuss future career opportunities.

OxLEP Communications Manager Rob Panting previews the ‘twilight’ session at Career Fest 2019 

Next year’s ‘twilight’ event will take place on 22 January between 4pm and 7pm. Overallaround 2000 pupils from secondary schools across Oxfordshire are set to take part in Careers Fest 2019.

Nigel Tipple – Chief Executive of OxLEP – said: “Over the past 10 years Careers Fest has helped to inspire thousands of young people – and their parents – to make informed career choices and support them all to gain a solid understanding of the many opportunities available in Oxfordshire.

“Whether it is gaining a greater understanding of training programmes – such as apprenticeships – finding out about meaningful work experience opportunities or discovering what a potential career pathway may look likewe would encourage teenagers and their parents to head to Careers Fest and meet some of the county’s best employers.”

Sign-up to Careers Fest ‘twilight’ session now