Students get early taste for cyber careers at special event

Published 15 July 2024

Innovation, Skills and workforce

Cyber-curious students from Ash Manor School have been inspired to consider future careers in the sector after taking part in a special one-day workshop.

The event was hosted by Surrey County Council in collaboration with the Surrey Cyber Security Cluster (SCSC) and SATRO Education Charity as part of the Inspire Surrey pilot program, and was held at the Hogs Back Hotel in Farnham.

The Digital Detectives Challenge

The ‘Digital Detective Challenge’ was developed to harness the imagination of the students and encourage them to consider a future career in this exciting and fast-growing industry.

At the end of the day, almost all of the year 8 students taking part (28 out of 31) said they would now consider taking up a career in cyber – a resounding success for the day.

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “Cyber security is a growing, highly innovative sector of huge importance to our regional economy. Events like this are fantastic to really capture the interest of enquiring young minds – the vital future leaders of this sector – and ensure cyber security’s continued growth and success in Surrey. I’m delighted the event was such a triumph for all participants.”

Surrey is a world-leader in cyber security, as home to a large and growing number of security firms and consultancy agencies including BAE Systems, CGI and F5.

Two of the UK’s five Gold Standard Cyber Security Universities (Royal Holloway and University of Surrey) are also based in the county, helping to drive innovation in the sector.

Surrey County Council is further nurturing the sector and supporting growth through its involvement in the Surrey Cyber Security Cluster.

Feedback from the day

Mr S Coomber, Head of Computer Science at Ash Manor School, said:“Events like this enable students to explore what it’s like to work in cyber security. By showcasing the breadth of opportunities available, we hope to empower students to make an informed decision about considering a career in the cyber sector.”

Jane Sheridan from SATRO Education Charity, said: “Today’s event was not just about solving puzzles; it was about igniting passion and curiosity for cyber careers among young minds. We wanted to provide students with a glimpse into the exciting world of cyber security while emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”

Hani Momeninia, Director of the SCSC, highlighted the significance of nurturing future talent in the cyber field. He said: “As the cyber landscape continues to evolve, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals capable of defending us against emerging threats. Initiatives like this play a crucial role in inspiring and nurturing the next generation of cyber leaders. It’s been great to work with the Surrey Cyber Security Cluster and SATRO Education Charity to design and host an engaging event for our budding cyber professionals.”

Inspiring careers in cyber

The event was one of a number of initiatives intended to inspire a range of audiences to consider a career in cyber by the Council’s Economy & Growth Team, in collaboration with the Surrey Cyber Security Cluster. Other events included a workshop for mums returning to work and a cyber careers fair at Brooklands Museum for secondary school students across the county.

Business Surrey, as the Council’s new business initiative, is committed to supporting sectors, such as cyber security, with support to grow. If you are looking for support and advice with workforce needs please contact our team of experts for free support.

The Surrey Careers Hub also works to connect employers with schools and colleges to support young people to take their next best step. Find out how you can get involved here.

team of students at the Digital Detectives challenge workshop - considering cyber careers

Major Surrey company build interest in construction careers at Nescot

Published 9 May 2024

Skills and workforce

Construction professionals of the future were provided a chance to learn more about careers in the industry in an interactive day at Surrey’s Nescot College.

Representatives from Ringway Infrastructure Services, Surrey’s leading highway maintenance contractor, led the session at the further education college in Epsom.

Students from a range of courses had the chance to find out more about the new Construction Skills for Highway Maintenance courses being delivered by the college with Ringway and supply chain partner Eurovia Surfacing.

The day was supported by the Surrey Careers Hub, a Surrey County Council service which connects employers to training providers to ensure young people can take their next best step.

Slavina Kalendzhieva, Head of Foundation Learning at Nescot said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Ringway and Eurovia to deliver these courses which create lots of opportunities for our students. The courses offer clear pathways from education to vocational, employment and apprenticeship opportunities and will help students develop skillsets for next steps after college.

“The opportunity to meet with industry professionals has also given our students an insight into the varied opportunities available in the highway sector.”

Carolyn Jay, Community and Place Manager at Ringway said:

“We are really excited to be working with Nescot. The accredited construction curriculum courses offer masterclasses by Ringway and Eurovia. Students will have the opportunity to interview for a job or apprenticeship with Ringway, Eurovia and supply chain partners following course completion.

“The college has been so excellent and responsive to us being on campus to demonstrate to students the wide range of work opportunities in the highways industry which needs young people. We want to showcase how accessible it is to work in this sector.”

Students had the opportunity to try out specialised equipment to lay a paving slab. Others used electric hand tools including a fully electric steel saw used for cutting slabs and tarmac. Some explored the vehicles used, including an Accident and Emergency vehicle, a Roller and a Low Loader used for transporting highway kit.

Bricklaying student Jack who enjoyed exploring the Roller vehicle said:

“It’s been a fantastic experience finding out what is involved with working on the roads and the various equipment used. It is great that these courses are being offered, they sound very interesting and I think they will enhance my learning.”

Highways Maintenance courses at Nescot

The one-year Level 1 and Entry Level Construction Skills for Highway Maintenance courses develop skills in construction, employability and digital with a focus on highway maintenance.

They are designed to provide a pathway to the Ringway Highways Maintenance/Groundworks Apprenticeship, or similar roles with Eurovia and other supply chain partner.

Certified by the Gateway examining body, the Building and Construction specification is delivered with input from Ringway and Eurovia staff. It includes live briefs, industry projects, masterclasses and enrichment activities.

Students will have the opportunity to interview for a job or apprenticeship with Ringway, Eurovia and supply chain partners following course completion.

Ringway manage and maintain the largest portfolio of highways service contracts in the UK. This covers over 43,000km of strategic and local highway network on behalf of National Highways, Transport for London, and local authorities.

Student in high vis jacket sits on a construction vehicle, with a tutor on the ground advising him how to use it.

2024 Surrey Festival of Skills

Published 26 March 2024

Events and awards, Skills and workforce

Businesses and training providers across Surrey can now sign up to showcase their opportunities at the 2024 Festival of Skills.

The first ever Surrey Festival of Skills took place in November 2023 and left hundreds of young people fired up about their futures.

More than 1,300 people from schools and colleges across Surrey attended the free one-day event, engaging with 80 exhibitors, including Samsung, British Airways, Pfizer, Haleon, and BAE Systems.

The event was organised and funded by Surrey County Council, with support from the Association of Learning Providers Surrey (ALPS) and Surrey Event Professionals.

Planning for the 2024 event is now underway with the festival set to return in the autumn. Businesses, training providers and educational settings who wish to attend can register their interest via https://surreyfestivalofskills.co.uk/

Man trying helmet on at Surrey Festival of Skills

The Festival of Skills is open to young people 14 to 18 who are in education in Surrey.

Those attending access inspirational talks and interactive displays, while also learning about potential career opportunities.

Sectors represented included the creative arts, construction, cyber security, health and social care, technology, engineering, public sector, and hospitality.

Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, described the 2023 event as “a big success”.

In opening the 2023 event, Cllr Oliver said: “We have a vibrant, thriving, and diverse economy in Surrey, which generates roughly £50 billion a year for the UK.

“With a skilled workforce, high business success rate and enviable location, there is huge potential to grow the economy of Surrey sustainably in years to come.

Young people at Surrey Festival of skills

“The single most important component to achieving that growth is the individual contributions of our workforce. It’s their talent, their ideas, their passion which makes organisations thrive and prosper.

“That is why the Festival of Skills is so important. Because it provides opportunities for our local young people to experience, to connect, to be inspired about their future.”

Star attractions on the day included a prototype supercar worth more than £2 million created by Guildford-based Gordon Murray Automotive and a robotic dog, which construction firm Balfour Beatty utilised on the M25 improvements and other major schemes.

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport & Economic Growth, said: “The first-ever Festival of Skills was a day to remember for all involved – providing young people with the chance to rub shoulders with major employers and be inspired about their futures.

“Providing opportunities for employers to connect with the county’s future workforce is integral to our wider Skills agenda and achieving our mission to ensure No One is Left Behind.”