Website to connect local employers and apprentices launched as 1,000 school pupils attend fifth skills fair at Ely Cathedral

Apprenticeships were high on the agenda for more than 1,000 students attending the annual skills fair at Ely Cathedral.

Sponsors East Cambridgeshire District Council launched the ‘apprenticeships.buzz’, a new website designed to connect employers, apprentices and training providers across the area.

They also discussed with students’ opportunities to help the community by working at the council as a future career opportunity.

The council’s business development manager Martin Smith said: “It is wonderful to support so many young people to realise their career dreams and focus their ambitions with the help of experts in a wide selection of fields.”

Nikki Pritchett of Ely College said: “This is a fabulous event for East Cambs year 11 and sixth form students and this year we included 380 year 5 local primary school students.

“It helps them to get some face-to-face advice from people in a diverse range of sectors and meet representatives from different education providers who can help them too.

Companies who exhibited included Whiting & Partners, JDR Cable Systems Ltd, Corkers Crisps, G’s Fresh and Turners (Soham) Ltd.

The skills fair attracted students from schools and colleges across East Cambridgeshire to speak to representatives from a range of professions and training providers ask questions and discuss opportunities with potential employers, colleges and universities.

Rebecca Sussex of the Skills Service said: “What we want to be when we grow up is a key discussion point for children of all ages and the skills fair is important to help them identify possibilities they might not have considered before.”