Students had the opportunity to explore the careers and opportunities on their doorstep at the annual North East Lincolnshire Skills Fair.
The event, organised by North East Lincolnshire Council, with support from Franklin College and Grimsby Institute, took place on Wednesday 10 July at Grimsby Auditorium.
Throughout the day, over 2,000 Year 10 students from local schools spoke with industry experts and got hands on with different activities, as they start to think about their future. With more than 60 exhibitors including colleges and universities, local employers and volunteer organisations, the British Army, the NHS, a Seafood Village and many more, there was something to inspire everyone.
Following last year’s success, the science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) village returned, sponsored by Phillips 66.
Nina Stobart, Communications Lead at Phillips 66, spoke about the importance of events for both schools and employers: “The Skills Fair gives the year 10 students a chance to speak to local businesses and realise the fantastic opportunities here in North East Lincolnshire.”
Showing how the event can lead to success for students, Nina shared her excitement for meeting the next generation of the workforce at this year’s fair.
‘’We recruited one of our apprentices who we first met at a Skills Fair, so we’re excited to meet the students this year’’, said Nina.
Speaking from their exhibition in the heart of the STEM village, Paul Fursey, Lead Executive and General Manager of Phillips 66 Humber Refinery, said: ‘’We’re extremely proud to be the headline sponsor of this event. It’s things like this that are critical for our industry so we can showcase the opportunities available for our local young people. That’s what it’s about, supporting the talent of the future.’’
Highlighting the importance of events like the Skills Fair, Mark Riley, Project Controls Lead (Emerging Energy) at Phillips 66, spoke about the skills gap in the engineering, construction and offshore energy sector: “Days like this are important for bringing sectors together in one place, not only in engineering but all local employers and education providers.
‘’Nationally, the skills gap is predicted to grow with an extra 40,000 workers needed in the engineering sector in the coming years. Here in the Humber region, it’s expected there will be a demand for 12,000 workers in energy and construction and 10,000 in the offshore energy sector,’’ said Mark.
Speaking ahead of the fair, Councillor Margaret Cracknell, Portfolio Holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, shared her excitement for the event:
“I’m really pleased and excited to see the Skills Fair returning to the area once again.
“The idea behind the event is to show students that there really are lots of fantastic opportunities in our borough. I truly believe that young people growing up here can find high-paying, skilled jobs without having to move elsewhere.’’
“I’d like to thank all those involved in organising this event, from Council officers, schools, sixth forms and colleges, to universities, employers and training providers, and a big thanks to the students who will be coming down and getting involved.”
The Skills Fair was sponsored by Franklin College, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education and Phillips 66, with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit: UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus
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