Future First Careers Expo: helping young people prepare for their future

First set up in 2017 and organised by Newark and Sherwood District Council in partnership with the Lincoln College Group and Newark Advertiser, the Future First Careers Expo continues to provide young people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their future. With more than 50 businesses, training providers and higher education organisations in attendance, students were introduced to a wide variety of industries they perhaps had not come into contact with before. The day also allowed students to ask specific questions about their future whilst gaining invaluable advice from local businesses leaders. Organisations in attendance included the Liz Hobbs Group, Druid Gaming, representatives from the British Armed Forces and Police Service, and training and education providers such as Newark College, University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Hull. This year's Expo was sponsored by John Deere and the Wirtgen Group, who were also in attendance. 

Additionally, through a selection of seminars, students could hear more in-depth about careers in health, accounting, digital marketing and print advertising and creative thinking. Hosted by local businesses, students were also given a chance to understand their career paths in these industries. Seminar providers included the NHS, Future Cloud Accounting, Bazzoo and Ignite/Festival of Science and Curiosity.

Councillor Keith Girling, Chairman of Newark and Sherwood District Council's Economic Development Committee, said: "The Future First Careers Expo continues to benefit the young people in our area enormously. The Expo continues to grow year upon year, and it was great to see so many students and young people attend this year, engaging proactively and asking great questions about their future. In addition, it was encouraging to see so many young people from the area enthusiastic about what the future might hold for them. 

It is essential that the Council continues to invest in the lives and futures of the younger generation, empowering them to make decisions about their future that are right for them."

Penny Taylor, Lead for Education and Training at Newark College, part of the Lincoln College Group said: "The Future First Expo is a key date in our diary every year and we always look forward to exhibiting. It's a fantastic platform to meet prospective students and share the wide range of employer-led courses and apprenticeships we offer at Newark College.

We're also delighted to support the organising of the event as we know how important it is for young people to be able to make informed choices about their future careers - and the Expo facilitates this."

Georgia Stimson, a student from the Southers School who attended the Expo, said: "I thought the expo was really helpful to work out what career path to take, or whether sixth form or college is the best path for you. We learnt some really value advice from experienced adults.

"Some advice we were given was to take a science at A-level to leave our options open in case we change our minds on careers."

Next year, the Future First Expo returns at the Lady Eastwood Centre at Newark Showground on Tuesday 22 November 2021. If you are a local business, training provider or further education organisation interested in having a stand, please contact Veronica Dennant at veronica.dennant@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk.