Today, sixth form students from across my constituency will be gathering at South Devon College for a Careers Fair which I have organised in association with the college and Heart of the South West Careers Hub. While I hope to make this a yearly event, this is the first and I hope it will be of benefit to our students, businesses, schools and colleges.
It has been a widely held view locally that as soon as you finish Further Education, you should leave South Devon for good and return only to visit your parents, holiday or in the long term, to retire. While this is an appropriate route for some, this position does not take into account the full opportunities that are available within our midst.
Why do people leave the area after school? In part, it might be for a change of scenery, for a new adventure or perhaps to train and learn new skills. These are all justified reasons and are to be encouraged. But even after scenery has been explored, adventure has been found, and skills have been acquired, it is readily apparent that far too many never give South Devon a look in for their employment consideration. I hope to change this outlook.
South Devon College is playing host to students from our local colleges, academies and grammar schools to help platform some fifty local employers. The purpose of this is to ensure that our students are given the widest possible view of what organisations exist and operate across South Devon.
Students can expect to meet a wide range of employers that are making a significant mark on South Devon’s economy. From charitable organisations to leisure and hospitality businesses to new high-tech sectors like the photonics industry, my team and I have designed a day that will give the widest possible opportunity for our students to engage with as many local employers as possible.
For the employers, I hope this serves as an opportunity to promote their work and meet the next generation of workers. I have seen first-hand over the last two years the rich tapestry of businesses that are proud to call South Devon home. On the countless visits I have made, there are always the same requests for assistance in bolstering the workforce and ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary skills. Well, this careers fair is the opportunity for these businesses to meet face-to-face with students, letting them know who they are, what they are looking for and what they can offer.
For the students, I hope this will open their eyes to the fact that South Devon is not some backwater with little opportunity but a haven of choice. Giving them the chance to question local businesses might guide their future decisions as to what to study, where to train and ultimately what career to choose. Alternatively, it might help to rule out previously considered career paths. Regardless, I want this fair to be used as a moment for young people to learn about the economy around them and to understand what they might need to gain employment in a few short years.
Of course, presenting young people to businesses and vice versa is only part of the day's work. Advice on application forms, CV writing and personal statement construction will also be available. At the end of this day, I hope to see students taking up internships, thinking a little more about their futures, feeling more confident about the skills they possess and applying for jobs they want.
I have written in these pages many times before about the need for us to promote our local economy. To recognise its strengths and weaknesses. Today is yet another step in my work to push and promote our brilliant, hard-working students and introduce them to some truly remarkable businesses.