Press Release
For immediate release 21 June 2017
- Suffolk’s Largest Skills Show Announces Key Sponsors -
Partners and sponsors recently gathered at BT Adastral Park to officially launch The Suffolk Skills Show 2017. The show has welcomed several returning and new leading industry sponsors for what it described as Suffolk’s biggest skills and careers event.
The Suffolk Skills Show, now in its fourth year, is a skills and careers event attracting young people from 14-24 years old, with the aim of engaging with local employers and training providers. Supported by Suffolk County Council, the aim of the event is to highlight all the possibilities that are open to young people.
Taking place at Trinity Park Ipswich on Wednesday 18th October 2017, the event will provide a wide range of hands-on experiences for visitors to inspire them to explore skills, further education and Apprenticeships, helping them to gain advice on how to take the next step into the world of work.
Dayle Bayliss, Chair of the Suffolk Skills Show commented: “We were delighted to be asked by BT to host our sponsors launch at their special Suffolk Day event. This forges the close working relationship we have had with them since the inception of the event in 2013.”
She added: “I would also like to personally thank all of our partners and sponsors for supporting such an important date in the Suffolk skills calendar. It is particularly exciting this year as we are launching ‘Job Hunter’ a new activity at the show this year. Employees will also be able to directly advertisevacancies and recruitment timetables to the over 16’s attending on the day. Anyone is invited to attend this free event that are interested at looking new vacancies in the area.”
Sponsors confirmed to date include: Lead Alumni Sponsor: Easton and Otley College. Sponsors: The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, BT, EDF Energy, Archant, MyGo, Apprenticeship Suffolk and East of England COOP.
Cllr. Gordon Jones, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Skills, said:
“Suffolk County Council are delighted once again to be the lead supporters for the Suffolk Skills Show, the feedback from attendees shows this is a valuable and engaging event which allows a huge number of young people to explore the opportunities open to them in a friendly and safe environment”.
He added: ‘We are particularly pleased to see the creation of Job Hunter to promote live opportunities on the day and our Apprenticeships Suffolk Team will be on hand to give support and advice to those looking to secure an apprenticeship. Finally, on the day of the Suffolk Skills Show launch, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the partners who work tirelessly to deliver The Show, and the local employers without whom we would not be able to showcase our fantastic economy”
Returning and new Sponsors, were so impressed by the attendance at last year’s event, over 4500 young people attended, and agreed that it was the ideal opportunity to reach out to their employees of the future.
Su Groves, Apprentice and Graduate Programme Manager, BT Technology Service and Operations said: “BT are delighted to sponsor the Suffolk Skills Show again this year. We are extremely proud that we are able to recruit young apprentices and graduates from the Suffolk area to work with us in BT and Adastral Park. The show is an ideal opportunity for us to talk to the next generation of potential BT employees and share with them the exciting opportunities that exist in the telecommunications industry and with BT.”
The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce is once again supporting the Suffolk Skills Show. John Dugmore, Chief Executive commented: ‘This year, for the first time, we are also the graduate sponsor of the Enterprise zone at the Show, a reflection of our ongoing commitment to making the transition between education and work as seamless as possible.”
He added “We urge all local businesses to think about having a presence at the Show, whether as an exhibitor or a visitor, to both engage with their workforces of the future and encourage them as they prepare to enter the workplace. This year’s Job Search feature will allow Suffolk businesses to directly recruit and source their future workforce”
Easton and Otley College are for the second year Lead Alumni Sponsors. Easton and Otley college spokesperson, John Nice, said, “The Suffolk Skills Show 2017 was set up to give young people the chance to experience the thousands of career opportunities that are available to them when they finish school.”
“Education, business and the local community unite to give independent advice and guidance so that attendees can make informed choices about what they are going to do next.”
“When you talk to young people, getting decent careers advice seems to be a bit of an issue – it certainly was for me when I was growing up - so we are hopeful that this even will help counteract this and give all those who come along, hope and inspiration when thinking about their futures.”
“From an Easton and Otley College point of view, we will be championing all the courses that our careers lead to - on a grand scale. We will discuss farming and the amazing technological advancements that are happening right now, to construction and the countryside via horticulture horses and so much more. We will also be letting people know about our many apprenticeship vacancies as well as our expanding degree programme. Interactive games will be on offer on our stand - and we can’t wait to attend this fantastic event that takes place in October. We are proud to be involved.”
Jim Crawford, Sizewell C project development director, said: "EDF Energy is proud to support the Suffolk Skills Show again this year. Events like this are vital, as EDF Energy wants to engage students in the STEM subjects and to provide information on the possible career paths that the industry has to offer. It builds on the work we are doing in partnership with local schools, colleges, training providers and the local authorities to help develop an education programme and the skills required to support the construction of Sizewell C and opportunities in STEM subjects at Sizewell B.”
MyGo and Apprenticeships Suffolk, new sponsors to the event commented thatthey in particular ‘welcomed the creation of JobHunter and fully endorse it as a way for employers to highlight job opportunities directly to potential apprentices and employers.’
The neaco consortium which includes all the higher education providers in East Anglia are fully behind the event and commented: “The Network for East Anglian Collaborative Outreach (neaco) is excited to sponsor the Suffolk Skills Show, providing a ‘Take Your Place’ zone for attendees to explore the range of Higher Education Opportunities available across our region. The neaco consortium includes all of the higher education providers in East Anglia, working closely with schools, colleges, Local Enterprise Partnerships, local authorities and other stakeholders. We support young people to make informed choices about their futures by providing information on the range of Higher Education options available, helping find paths to success for them and for East Anglia.”
Mark O’Hagen Join Chief Executive for the East of England Co-op said: “The East of England Co-op is one of the region’s largest employers, and runs a diverse group of businesses from food retail to stonemasonry. We’ll be showcasing an exciting range of careers and opportunities on offer across our businesses, including Apprenticeships in our Food, Funeral and Stonemasonry businesses. “
He added: “We’re also looking forward to sharing information about work experience opportunities and the support we can offer to local schools and colleges through our Community Token Schemes and Group Share Accounts.”
Further details on this year’s event and how to exhibit or email
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3 xPhoto shows:
Partners and Sponsors Suffolk Skills Show 2017 at BT Adastral Park – Suffolk Day
Cllr Gordon Jones, Suffolk County Council
DayleBayliss – Chair Suffolk Skills Show
Press information:
Sonia Shelcott
Millriver Publicity
07775 613079