Students given career insight during speed networking event

Business leaders gave young students valuable insights into career opportunities during a speed-networking event held at Truro College.

Employers from a range of organisations took part in the day, (Wednesday, June 25) giving young A’Level and Extended National Diploma students at the College tips and advice about what to expect in the workplace.

The first STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) Careers Speed Networking Day involved around 200 students and a number of local businesses. It was organised by Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership.

Employers were invited in to talk to small groups of students about their business, their own progression routes and offer tips and advice, in ten-minute slots.

Among the business representatives taking part was Alastair Carnegie, managing director of Stoke Climsland-based energy broker Total Energy Solutions. He said: “It was a great event. I spoke to around 50 students throughout the day with the aim of broadening their outlook on what they can do when they leave college. We talked about CVs, the interview process and even their body language, explaining how easy it is to lose the chance of a job before they even sit down.

“It is not only a valuable experience for the students, but also gives local businesses the opportunity to see what local talent there is on their doorstep. There is a gulf generally between education and business, and most students are not ready for the workplace when the leave the education system. Events like these help them understand more about what is expected from them."

Some of the possible career options up for discussion included Geology, Engineering, Marine and Nuclear, Conservation Bioscience and Science Communication among others.

Kate Whetter, education projects manager at Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership, said the purpose of the day was to inspire the 16 and 17-year-old students about the range of STEM careers available.

She said: “The careers speed networking event has been a huge success for the students taking part. It has been a great opportunity to foster young people’s interest in the workplace and to inform them of the range of STEM related careers available to them.”

Businesses taking part in the event included Total Energy Solutions, Bluefruit Software, Transport Bombardier, TRAC Services, University of Exeter, Concept Shed, Lydon Marketing Ltd, Pendennis Shipyard, NatWest Bank, RCHT Haematology, RCHT Triple AAA Scanning, Superfast Cornwall and STEM ambassadors.