On the 5th and 6th February over 500 students from across Hampshire attended Get Inspired Basingstoke at the Apollo Hotel. The event, which was sponsored by AWE, BAE Systems Submarines, Test Valley Borough Council and TrustMark and supported by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, aims to inspire young people about careers in their local area. 93 percent of student respondents who attended the event said that they had learnt about job types or careers that they didn’t know about before the event.
Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cllr Paul Harvey said: “It is great to see so many young people from the
borough attend this two-day event supported by local business partners. The development of skills for young people is key to the future growth of our local economy and it is important that we shine a spotlight on future career pathways for the next generation. I would like to thank the organisers, EBP South, for arranging such a successful collaboration between businesses and schools.”
Chris Daniels, Senior Manager, Responsible Business at AWE said “Get Inspired Basingstoke was a success for all the schools and businesses involved. Being able to connect with young people to share career prospects is such a valuable and rewarding experience. Thank you to Education Business Partnership and the Apollo Hotel for making this such a successful event.”
Businesses attending the event had the opportunity to engage with the future workforce and provided a range of innovative hands-on activities for the students to take part in.
Simon Ayers MBE, Chief Executive, TrustMark said: “Get Inspired Basingstoke was a fantastic event designed to motivate young people about their future career paths and guide them towards the world of work. As a leading sponsor, we witnessed first-hand the importance of educating and nurturing the next generation into the construction industry. Addressing the skill shortage and being able to deliver a diverse, skilled workforce is vital to securing a bright outlook for the sector. We engaged with many students interested in apprenticeships in the trades, and discussed the many opportunities that they may uncover with a career in the industry. We hope our efforts have inspired some to embark on a rewarding career in this field.”
Phil North, Leader of Test Valley Borough Council said, “We are delighted to support Get Inspired Basingstoke once again this year. We feel that this event plays a crucial role in inspiring young people and opening their eyes to a range of career opportunities available in our community alongside focusing on essential future job skills. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this event will have on both the youth and the participating organisations.”