News

Year 9 Careers Evening Opens Doors to Future Success

Over 50 individuals from more than 30 local businesses and organisations provided a wide range of careers information to Penryn College students last month, as part of the school’s Year 9 Pathways, Careers and Choices Evening.

Business owners, employees, and members of the British Armed Forces filled the College hallways – taking questions from pupils and parents/carers on the ins and outs of a variety of careers, and the all-important pathways towards them.

From space technologists to pharmacists, and well-known large employers to start-up companies – the range of information available to attendees was vast, and featured practical and video demonstrations – serving as fantastic additional insights.

Visitors included: Blue Flame – a Penryn-based company supplying gas, electrical, oil, solid fuel, renewable and plumbing solutions across Cornwall; Float Digital – a local search engine optimisation and pay-per-click marketing business catering for clients from London to New York; Glenda Shaw – an Allied Health Professional; Midas – a nationwide construction company; and many, many more. 

Reflecting on the evening, Penryn College Work-Related Learning & Library Manager, Mrs Snowdon, said: “We are extremely fortunate to be a part of a very supportive community; the event featured over 30 stalls with local businesses and professionals including engineers, vets, healthcare professionals, and digital marketing experts.

“Each individual talked to and inspired our students – detailing their career paths, job roles, and employability skills. As a result, the student and parent/carer feedback – all of which we were delighted to hear – was excellent.”

Based in the College’s library, members of the Work-Related Learning team are on hand to offer career-related advice to students throughout the school week – with invaluable support and enthusiasm from local businesses and professionals. Additionally, as part of the school curriculum, pupils are taught valuable careers skills by the College’s Lifestyle teachers – including CV writing.

Vitally, Careers Evenings take place ahead of Year 9 pupils making their GCSE Option choices – one of the most important stages in shaping students’ future lives.

Indeed, a number of last month’s Careers Evening attendees noted its importance, commenting:

“A very informative evening which was very useful. It included up-to-date information that will be helpful going forward. Thank you.”

“I found the Careers Evening very helpful and interesting. It will make choosing a pathway a lot easier.”

“A great idea. Really helpful in broadening ideas. Thank you.”

“An absolutely fantastic evening.”

“It was a great experience and it was brilliant to hear about other people’s jobs.”

Other visitors offering their fantastic wealth of knowledge during last month’s Careers Evening included: 3D Kernow CIC; Allen & Heath; A&P Group Limited; Alison Best – GP; Andrew Bastin – Pharmacist; the British Army; Coodes Solicitors; Cornish Paws; Cornwall Marine Network; Dracaena Centre Youth Project; Elemental UK Watersports & Adventure; Goonhilly Earth Station; Helen Trevaskis – Insight, Innovation and Behaviour Change Consultant; Jill Stephens – Practice Nurse; Koha Architects Ltd.; Mark Richards – Bird of Prey Breeder and Exporter; Pendennis Shipyard; the Royal Marines; the Royal Navy; Radix Communications; Ruth Wilkes – Modern Foreign Languages; Touchbyte; Travelport; Truro College; and Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology.

A huge thank you to all of the businesses and professionals who attended the event!