The Bucks Skills Show has developed a reputation as a must-attend event for employers wanting to inspire the next generation of talent and for young people and their parents/guardians to learn about their future career options.

This year’s event, run by the Buckinghamshire Skills Hub and sponsored by Bosch, has only added to this reputation.

Students from 21 local schools attended on Friday 12th October and more young people and their parents/guardians visited the next day. More than 100 employers took the chance to promote what they do and explain to young people what they themselves would need to do in order to start a career in a particular sector.

An inspiring, informative and excellent Bucks Skills Show

The feedback from attendees was excellent:

• 96% rated the Bucks Skills Show as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’
• 93% found the event inspiring
• 99% found the event informative
• 95% rated the employers and range of industry sectors at the event as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’
• 100% found the speakers to be informative
• 95% found the speakers to be inspiring
• 58% felt better prepared to choose their future career or next education course

Future Bucks workforce in good health

Buckinghamshire Business First had our own stand at the event and we asked young people in attendance if they would like to find a job specifically in Buckinghamshire, with 84% saying they would. This bodes well for businesses looking to increase their workforce and find the very best talent in the local area.

Entrepreneurial spirit blossoms early in Bucks

We also asked young people what kind of business they would start in Buckinghamshire. There were some great ideas, including for businesses involved in construction, accounting, gaming, cyber security, engineering (including aerospace specifically), architecture, law, computer programming, insurance, sports coaching, beauty, music, food, medicine, graphic design, town planning, carpentry, fashion, photography, fitness, and tattooing.

So watch this space!

Anyone who wants to put their ideas into practice and start their own business can get all the support they need with our Be Your Own Boss service.

Skills Show inspires student to try harder at his exams

One person who attended the Bucks Skills Show with her son was very impressed, saying:

“My son came away full of ideas about his future. He has been struggling at school and now sees a reason to try harder for his exams so that he gets on the apprenticeship placement he really wants and gets the edge with better grades! This was a well organised and exciting event.”

Want to exhibit at next year’s Bucks Skills Show?

The feedback from this year’s exhibitors should be enough to convince you to take a stand at next year’s event:

• 98% rated the Bucks Skills Show as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’
• 100% are likely to recommend the event to other potential exhibitors
• 94% rated the venue as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’

Specific feedback from exhibitors at the Bucks Skills Show included:

• “It’s every employer’s responsibility to help young people see what options they have for their futures and to secure a line of work in which they can be happy.”
• “The Bucks Skills Show is cleverly designed for students who not only want to get an idea of what to study in the future, but also want to get the chance to have a practical experience related to their area of interest.”
• “The Bucks Skills Show has helped hundreds of young people and their parents make an informed decision about their future.”
• “Amazing chance to link with the workforce of the future. Lovely to meet with such enthusiastic people.”
• “An excellent event, well planned and co-ordinated with local schools.”

For more information on exhibiting at the Bucks Skills Show in 2019, email skillshub@bbf.uk.com.

Provide support for young people’s career aspirations

Can you support young people from local schools and colleges with workplace visits, careers talks, skills workshops, mock interviews and more?

Visit the Opps in Bucks platform, run by the Buckinghamshire Skills Hub, to learn how you can connect with and inspire local young people.

Promote your apprenticeship & work experience vacancies

WANNABE allows businesses to promote their apprenticeship, work experience and full/part-time job vacancies for free.

Visit the website now. Signing up is quick and easy and you will soon get your vacancies in the spotlight for young people to discover.

Get in touch for more information

For more information on Opps in Bucks, WANNABE, the Bucks Skills Show or any related topics, email skillshub@bbf.uk.com.