Led and organised by James Potter, the construction stand presented a unique opportunity for the students to speak directly to construction businesses in an informal setting and learn about career opportunities.
James, an enterprise adviser, has an ongoing relationship with ONE and is working to increase social mobility in Ipswich and ensure young people progress onto ambitious career pathways regardless of their background.
“Developing and encouraging the next generation into the construction sector is vitally important and I would like to see construction skills at the forefront when careers are being decided,” he said.
“Our construction expertise in the county is among the best in the world and over the next decade and beyond, locally this industry is expected to grow significantly.”
Jordan Holder, enterprise coordinator at The Careers & Enterprise Company, which is part of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said Mr Potter’s role at ONE was to provide strategic direction to the careers team ensuring that students have more encounters with the world of work. “He volunteers to support the students at ONE to dream big,” he added.
Organiser Phil Page, of ONE, said the event offered constructive advice to students aimed at helping them progress. “About 40% of our students don’t go to university, so this year we invited in a range of different employers,” he said.