Coronavirus
Updates: Colleges & Business Units | Commercial Outlets and Nurseries
Advice for: Students, Parents and Carers | College Applicants | Apprentices
Updates: Colleges & Business Units | Commercial Outlets and Nurseries
Advice for: Students, Parents and Carers | College Applicants | Apprentices
Organised by Industry Liaison Officer, Emma Longman, the event was a great opportunity for our Built Environment students to speak to employers in the trade industries about future job opportunities and apprenticeships.
Employers and local businesses from across Kent had a presence at the fair, representing a wide variety of trades, including brick, carpentry, electrical and plumbing.
Students had the opportunity to hand out their CV, get advice, and network with local employers.
Louis Whittington, Operations Manager at Morgan Sindall said: “The careers fair has been brilliant, it’s great to speak to engaged students and give them advice on how to get into the construction industry.
There is a shortage of staff in the industry in general, particularly after the pandemic, and there is a lot of demand for young people to start their careers. The industry itself is a very good industry to work in, it is not how it is often portrayed – it is a very professional and stable industry.
It is not one-dimensional, you can start off as a plumber or electrician, and then you can work your way into management or diversify into different areas and roles.”
Will Dean, Quantity Surveyor at Jenner, is an alumni of Canterbury College. He studied Level 3 Science and then progressed into the construction industry.
"We want to encourage young people to explore all their options after College, and there are so many good options for students to go into a career in the trades industry. You don’t necessarily need to have studied a trade or have hands-on skills to work in the construction industry, you can use other transferable skills in the job."
Charley Gremo-Gilham, Co Founder & Business Director at Red Key Concepts, said: "There is currently a huge demand for workers as there's a shortage of skilled staff out there, so it’s great for us to take on apprentices and help them develop their skills in the industry.
It is really vital to make people aware of how many different roles there are in construction."
Students have the fantastic opportunity to kick start their careers by starting as apprentices.
Amber Hills said: “People tend to think it is just the hands-on trades, but there are so many more roles. I started as an apprenticeship in the accounts department, and I have progressed to become a Project Coordinator."
The Careers Fair was a huge success, with crowds building throughout the day and students taking the opportunity to speak to industry experts.
At Canterbury College, we are always empowering students to reach their full potential and we strive to give our students the opportunity to explore their options after College.
Dane Simonds, Head of Built Environment at Canterbury College said: “The Trade Careers Fair was a fantastic day for all our learners. Students are very positive about their next steps and really enjoyed meeting experts in their chosen fields. I’d like to thank everyone who took time out of their day to come and speak with our students.”
Find out more about our Built Environment courses here.
