Young people at EdStart Schools’ Castle Hill site in Bolton have been given a closer look at the world of work through a careers workshop designed to give them more time to talk directly with employers and explore different career routes.
EdStart Schools supports young people who have struggled in mainstream education, providing a more personalised approach to help them stay engaged with learning and prepare for life after school.
The recent event brought together organisations including Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester Police, Bolton College, Seddon Construction, Carrs Pasties, Octagon Theatre Bolton and Bolton Wanderers in the Community.
Rather than a large, busy careers fair, the event was deliberately kept smaller, giving students the chance to have longer conversations, ask questions and find out more about what different jobs involve, including why people chose their careers and what matters to them in their work.
The workshop forms part of EdStart Schools’ focus on helping young people prepare for life after school. The organisation has achieved zero NEETs – meaning young people not in education, employment or training – across multiple Year 11 cohorts, and is continuing to build on that record by developing stronger links with employers and local organisations.
The work is being led by newly appointed Community & Partnerships Director Gemma Ackerley, whose role includes bringing schools, employers and community partners together to create more opportunities for young people.
Gemma said:
“We know that for some of our young people, a large, busy careers fair can feel overwhelming, so we wanted to create something more personal where they could have meaningful conversations and really explore what different careers are about. It was brilliant to see our students talking directly with people from such a wide range of organisations, asking questions about their work, their values and the different routes they had taken. Building those connections with employers and our wider community is a really important part of helping our young people see what’s possible beyond school and understand the opportunities that are available to them.”
James Mawrey, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief People Officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We are delighted to work with EdStart Schools to showcase the wide range of careers available across the NHS, and here in Bolton. Their work is invaluable in supporting young people who have taken an alternative route to education, and we are looking forward to working together to help young people explore different pathways, recognise their strengths, and learn more about the opportunities available to them in their local community.”
EdStart Schools manages specialist schools across the North West and is continuing to build partnerships with employers, education providers and community organisations across the region, helping young people access a wider range of opportunities as they prepare for life beyond school.
