Getting to grips with skills for the future

Students from schools across the borough will get hands on experience of career opportunities at Rochdale Skills Event

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Around 1,500 Year 9 students from schools across the borough will get hands on experience of career opportunities at a unique skills event being held in a few weeks time in Heywood.

Thanks to local businesses from sectors including construction, manufacturing and engineering, IT, logistics, digital and media, students will have the chance to try their hand at a range of work-related tasks and activities and find out all they need to know about the kinds of jobs that exist locally.

Some of the many businesses that will be providing hands on activities at the event include Cooney Civil Engineering, Ryder Architecture, Fix Auto Rochdale, Sitraben Furniture, Ladies Only Gym, Carillion, Hopwood Electrical and Veenas Restaurant. Plus, the RAF and police forensics team will be there along with representatives from Rochdale Borough Council, Link4Life, which operates the borough’s arts, sport and heritage services, and Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), which leads on regeneration for the borough. Also the National Careers Service and Connexions will be at the event to offer career advice and guidance.

The event is being project managed by inspiredspaces, Rochdale Borough Council’s education partnership which is delivering the Building Schools for the Future programme across the borough.

Claire Butler, inspiredspaces’ managing director, said: “We recognise that there is a current challenge, nationally as well as locally, to bridge the skills gap between school leavers and the world of work, but we also believe we need to help to raise awareness of the training and employment opportunities that exist for young people within the borough.

“It’s not often that students will get the chance to come and have a go at industry-related activities other than through work experience placements or an apprenticeship, but this is a vital part of preparing young people for employment. We’re thrilled to be managing this event and delighted to be working with partners to deliver it.”

The Rochdale Skills Event 2013 is the first event of its kind to be held in the borough and it will take place on 13 March at Unit 16 of Heywood Distribution Park. It has been developed and sponsored by the Rochdale Place Board, a group of public and private sector organisations who are working together to promote the benefits of living, learning and working in the borough.

Phil Ewbank is chair of the RDA, a member of the Place Board and chairman of Commercial Contract Engineers in Rochdale, he said: “I am going to be there with my colleagues because it’s absolutely essential that businesses get the chance to talk to young people about the fantastic training and employment opportunities that exist for them right on their doorstep in a range of specialist industries. We need employees and young people need jobs, so it’s a win-win!

“This event means students can get hands-on experience of some of the types of jobs they want to do and talk to us about roles that are less visible but every company needs – from administrative jobs that keep company’s going on a day to day basis to marketing and accountancy, for example. I know we’ve got the young people in the borough that we as employers need and I hope I’ll meet some of my employees and managers of the future at the event.”

Students from schools across the borough are attending the event between 9am and 4pm but there will also be an open session from 3pm until 5pm to allow parents and older students to come along.

If you would like to find out more about the event, please contact inspiredspaces on 01706 751166.