Thousands of young people in Surrey have been inspired and fired up about their futures thanks to the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills.
From supercars to snakes, cooking masterclasses to computer game demonstrations, there were opportunities galore for students to explore at the Surrey County Council event.
More than 2,000 students aged 14 to 18 packed into Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. They could meet, great and connect with dozens of employers, universities, FE colleges and training providers.
The aim was to showcase the fantastic opportunities on offer to them in Surrey, both now and in the future.
Highlights included hairdressing masterclasses, samosa making, VR headsets and a McLaren supercar.
There were also animals aplenty – with snakes, stick insects and lizards joined by a horse-riding simulator and robotic dog.
Young people who attended the free event described it as “impactful”, “rewarding” and “fantastic”.
Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, opened the event. He said: “Now in its second year, the Surrey Festival of Skills is a fantastic platform for organisations across the county to showcase the array of opportunities available to our young people.
“Surrey has a vibrant and diverse economy, built on foundations of innovation and collaboration. We’re committed to working with public and private partners to grow our economy further while delivering benefits to our communities.
“But we can only do this with a skilled and engaged workforce. That’s why it’s so important to showcase the brilliant careers and training available to students right here on their doorstep.”
What is the Surrey Festival of Skills?
The Surrey Festival of Skills is open to all young people in education aged 14 to 18. This is regardless of whether they are educated in school, college, at home or by any other educational route.
It is organised and funded by Surrey County Council, with support from the Association of Learning Providers Surrey (ALPS).
Sponsorship for the 2024 edition was provided by consumer health company Haleon and highways services provider Ringway.
More than 80 exhibitors took part representing a diverse range of industries. They included household names like Balfour Beatty, Siemens, McLaren, the Royal Navy and London Gatwick Airport.
They were joined by specialist sectors such as gaming, cyber security, osteopathy, adult social care and early years.
All of Surrey’s further and higher education providers attended, along with a range of independent training providers.
Public sector careers were championed by the Animal & Plant Health Agency, National Highways, NHS, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire & Rescue.
“A day to remember”
Matt Furniss, the Council’s cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Economic growth, said: “Once again, the Surrey Festival of Skills has delivered a day to remember for everyone that took part.
“We know days like this can play a huge impact on the choices young people make when they leave school or college.
“I want to say a big thank you to all our exhibitors for once again supporting this fantastic event, especially our sponsors Haleon and Ringway. Thanks to their support, we can ensure this event remains free and accessible to thousands of young people across Surrey.”
Lewis Bridgman, Business Unit Manager at Ringway, said: “Ringway are committed to supporting local talent and building a brighter future for young people in our county. We believe in investing in skills and creating opportunities that pave the way for rewarding careers for a diversity of talent within the highways industry. Together we can build strong foundations for tomorrow’s workforce. Ringway are proud to have sponsored the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills.”
Abeera Mohammad, STEM Lead at Haleon said: “Haleon are proud to have sponsored the Festival of Skills this year. As a world-leading consumer health company with our Headquarters based in Surrey, we were excited to promote STEM careers and give back to the community.”
Interested in supporting future skills initiatives in Surrey? Or Looking for support to skill up your workforce? Get in touch with the Business Surrey team via the contact us form.
You can also find about more about the event on the Surrey Festival of Skills website.