Welcome back, we hope you had a great break and are well rested and energised for the term ahead.
Next week we will be sending out our latest industry newsletter so please add your volunteer requests by the end of the week. Increase engagement by adding a photo from a previous event or your school/college logo. Remember to ensure you give enough information and a full description of the activity easily understood by someone outside of education, offer flexibility where possible for volunteers that may not be available for the duration of the event and include the aim of the event and how it will impact students.
Celebrating Success
There were some really impactful employer engagement events taking place last term across our careers family, so before we dive into into another hectic term lets celebrate the hard work of our careers family with some examples of whats been happening across the hub. If you have a success story that you would like to share please let your Careers Consultant know.
Schools in Milton Keynes have had an incredibly productive term! The variety of career opportunities and initiatives such as workplace experiences, alumni talks, and employer visits, are fantastic ways to engage students and broaden their horizons.
The Hospitality Connect project seems particularly impactful, with its hotel visits, assemblies, and chef sessions. It’s wonderful to hear that younger students at Ousedale School had the chance to interact with a hotelier, sparking curiosity about careers in hospitality. Engaging students at KS3 is a great strategy to help them explore future options early on.
Following up with attendance at transition evenings for parents and carers ensures that everyone involved has the chance to learn about the various roles and pathways in the industry. It’s clear that the schools in Milton Keynes are dedicated to providing comprehensive career education and support. đ
The Duston School: Teacher CPD/Employer Engagement
Duston School kicked off 2025 in style with an employer/teacher engagement event, supported by over thirty five employers who turned out on a, quite frankly, horrible winter morning to engage with educators sharing insights into their industry sectors. The South Midlands Careers Hub were delighted to be part of the planning process.
The team at Duston, Principal, Sam Strickland, Careers Leader, Diane Fisher, Careers SLT Link, Simon Beal, Industry Partner, Helen Russell and staff body warmly welcomed the business community, facilitating meaningful conversations.
Apprenticeship Volunteers Inspire Year 9 Students at Manor School, Raunds
Six dedicated apprentice volunteers took centre stage at Manor School in Raunds, offering Year 9 students an insightful exploration of apprenticeship opportunities. Max Deans of KIER Construction, George Smith of Weetabix, Hannah-Louise Iddon of Pinsent Masons, Hannah Gonzalez of Delapré Abbey, Joshua Barnett of easipc Services Ltd, and Jaeceena Anderson of Greatwell Homes shared their personal journeys, highlighting the value and versatility of vocational career paths.
The event provided an interactive platform where students engaged directly with the panel, asking their own questions and receiving authentic, first-hand insights into apprenticeship life. This two-way exchange ensured a meaningful and comprehensive understanding of apprenticeships, equipping students with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their futures.
âThis is a fantastic example of the power of engagement between industry and education,â said a spokesperson from the event. âThanks to the support of local business leaders, young people can explore all post-16 and post-18 pathways, enabling well-informed decision-making about their careers.â
George Smith from Weetabix shared his thoughts on the event, describing it as âwell-organised, simple, and effective.â He encouraged others to get involved as Young Inspirers, stating, âGreat way to express apprentice work that you may do, letting the younger generation know how good they can be instead of just considering universityâ.â Reflecting on his experience, he added, âIt was great fun, improved my public speaking skills, and helped me build valuable workplace connections.â
Max Dean of KIER Construction added âI really enjoyed being on the young inspirers panel again, the students were great and really engaged throughout the session. Once the ball got rolling they were more confident to ask more questions. All information and support was provided prior to the day, including a virtual meeting with the other panellists and school staff â making arriving on the day far easier.â
âItâs really great for students to see lived experiences and have the opportunity to speak to people that were once sat in the same assembly hall as them, even in Year 9, itâs so important to start the conversations around careers and apprenticeships. This is the second time I have been on a young inspirer panel and both times I have returned to work feeling proud and like I have helped make a difference.â
Year 8 Speed Networking – Wrenn School
A fantastic Speed Networking event with Year 8 students at Wrenn School. In this fast-paced format, employers had just three minutes with small groups of students as they tried to guess their jobs , well done to Joanne Bolton for organising such an excellent event!
Testimonial from Mike Foster, Digital Service Delivery Manager, Tresham College
âParticipating in the speed networking event with Year 8 students at Wrenn School was a truly rewarding experience. Seeing such enthusiastic young minds eager to learn, ask insightful questions, and explore different career paths was inspiring. One of the most engaging aspects was when students had the opportunity to guess the jobs we doâI was genuinely surprised by how quickly many of them identified mine!
Testimonial from Rebecca Drage: Senior IT Technician Tresham College
 ‘It was particularly meaningful to see the growing recognition that women belong in STEM fields. Compared to just a few years ago, itâs amazing how perceptions have evolved, opening doors for young girls to envision their futures in science and technology. I left feeling both inspired and hopeful for the future, knowing that events like these play a crucial role in shaping aspirations and breaking barriers.â
Northamptonshire Business Network
Careers Coordinator at Latimer Arts College, Vicky Stanyon and Industry Partner, Vikki Overson, U-Work Professional took the plunge into the world of networking by attending the Northamptonshire Business Exhibition, held on Thursday 6th March at Wickstead Park. There they met Simon Cox, Director of NNBN (Northamptonshire Business Network) and Head of Policy for Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce and Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce who said, âI canât stress how important it is for local businesses to support the future of tomorrow and share our business knowledge and experience with studentsâ. Well done to both Vicky and Vikki for stepping out of their comfort zone and raising the profile of the Latimer Arts College careers programme.
Sustainability workshop at Chiltern Academy
Chiltern Academy and their Enterprise Adviser from London Luton Airport (LLA), Hannah Dunford, have collaborated to develop and deliver a highly impactful sustainability-focused careers event. This initiative culminated in a dedicated Sustainability Workshop held at LLA’s Head Office on Thursday, November 7th, coinciding with Green Careers Week. Fifteen Year 9 pupils were selected to participate in this unique experience.
The workshop was carefully designed to educate students about the far-reaching effects of climate change and, crucially, the skills needed for climate adaptability in the modern workplace, specifically within the context of an airport environment. The students had the invaluable opportunity to hear from three guest speakers working in sustainability-related roles at LLA. These professionals shared their experiences and insights, providing a real-world perspective on career opportunities within the sector and the diverse entry routes available. This direct interaction with industry professionals provided the students with tangible examples of how their studies can translate into future careers.
The Chiltern Academy pupils embraced the project brief with enthusiasm, embodying the school’s “Chiltern Champion Values.” They engaged actively in the workshop, generating outstanding ideas to improve sustainability at LLA. Student feedback highlights the event’s success. Adwoa noted, âWe learned lots about sustainability in the aviation industry and what LLA does to reduce their impact on climate change. We found out how exactly climate change affects the world including the impact on travel and local areas. We then came up with ways to solve problems the airport is facing.â Abi commented, âMy opinion on the trip was that it was very interesting because we got to learn about some of the jobs that have an important role in Luton airport and their experiences about their jobs. They showed us how climate change can affect Luton airport and the ways they have tried to adapt to it.â Another student, NE, described the day, saying, âWe talked to professionals about their jobs: there were Sustainability Performance Enhancers, Habitat & Painting Manager, Executive Event Planner and much more. We did a competition on who had the best poster idea on how to improve sustainability at the airport and some people even did a product that would help. We got green water bottles and pens as a reward. We learnt a lot of information about how the airport doesn’t just take people to destinations but how they try to fix the environment with specialist workers. Today was really amazing and it will help me in the future to know more about sustainability.â
The workshop not only provided valuable insights into sustainability within the aviation industry but also encouraged students to think creatively and critically about solutions to environmental challenges. The collaborative approach between Chiltern Academy and LLA, facilitated by their Enterprise Adviser, has provided these students with a significant and inspiring experience, potentially influencing their future career paths. This project has benefited significantly from the collaborative partnership with Hannah, whose experience and expertise have been instrumental in enriching students’ aspirations. Furthermore, the collaboration has provided a valuable opportunity for Hannah to develop her facilitation skills, while simultaneously enhancing the career leader’s understanding of local labour market information (LMI) and relevant initiatives.
Key dates for your diary
| Summer term kick off meeting | 28/04/25 |
| Modern Work Experience consultation â Northampton | 21/05/25 |
| Modern Work Experience Consultation â Bedfordshire | 04/06/25 |
| Modern Work Experience consultation â Milton Keynes | 12/06/25 |
| New Career Leader Induction | 16/06/25 |
| Bedford Borough CL network meeting | 13/05/25 |
| Central Bedford CL network meeting | 16/05/25 |
| Luton CL network meeting | 09/06/25 |
| MK CL network meeting | 05/06/25 |
| North Northants CL network meeting | 13/05/25 |
| West Northants CL network meeting | 22/05/25 |
For Action
If you haven’t done so already please share details of 4YP’s Careers Guidance Community Group’s next meeting with your Careers Adviser.
For Information
Complete Careers free remote conference, ‘Navigating the Future’ Tuesday 13/05 9.30 – 13.00
CDI Webinar: Update on Post-16 qualifications reform, Wednesday 30 April, 11 am, online.
Want to understand whatâs changing from 2026 and how it affects learners? Post-16 qualifications are under reform, with decisions underway about which routes and subjects will be available from 2026. Hear from the DfE on level 3 reformed qualifications â from AAQs to technical routes â and how these can be combined for learners. NCFE will also share how they support providers and Higher Education Institutions in their role as an awarding organisation. book here
Careers in Racing and the British Horseracing Authority
Careers in racing work with 2 training providers the National Horseracing College (in Doncaster) & The British Racing School in Newmarket This is where the apprenticeships will start with a residential stay and is available from 16 years-old. You work towards a Level 2 Diploma in Race Horse Care on the Foundation Course this would incorporate a residential stay at one of the training providers where you would learn to care & race ride. Once completed there you would then start your apprenticeship at a trainer in the industry. Both training providers have open days which you can visit the facilities and find out about the courses.
Careers in Racing also showcase the vast mix of jobs you can do in the sport. This ranges from media, marketing, events, sales but first part jobs on a racecourse such as hospitality & seasonal staff. We can also participate in careers fairs, events in person or with online webinars explaining about all the roles and how someone can find their career path in the sport. We also have plenty of online content so if your interested in that please let me know.
They are hosting several Explore Racing Days up and down the country this is an opportunity for guests to come along and find out about the options and careers paths in the sport on the racecourse. You can keep an eye on the following page for this https://careersinracing.com/explore-racing-days/ or if you have a group keen and local to a course we can arrange something. Plus we have early careers programmes that young people can also get involved in, one of which is our Step on Track Programme which can be more of a bespoke day designed for your group or network.
Useful contact for British Racing School British Racing School – Naomi Lawson Naomi.Lawson@brs.org.uk
Latest Army Careers Newsletter from Beds / Northants outreach is now available to download
