Carmarthenshire Choose Your Future event supports record number of students

A RECORD number of students in years 10 to 13 from schools across Carmarthenshire participated in the ‘Choose Your Future Carmarthenshire’ event, held on Thursday 22 February 2024.

Jointly hosted by Careers Wales and Coleg Sir Gâr, in collaboration with Carmarthenshire County Council, and Castell Howell Foods, the event aimed to provide attendees with valuable insights into various career opportunities and pathways available to them.

The event welcomed 2,500 school pupils at the Supporters Village Arena in Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Attendees were from nine local schools and had the opportunity to explore a wide range of options, including courses, careers, apprenticeships, and training routes.

Representatives from 70 employers across different industries were present to offer firsthand information, advice on what employers are looking for in their workforce, to answer questions and provide invaluable insights into the world of work.

Sarah Winter, a team manager at Careers Wales, said, “It was fantastic to see students engaging with an array of employers from across the region and exploring different roles and opportunities available to them.

“The aim of events like this is to guide and encourage students, so they can leave feeling confident and empowered to make informed decisions about their future careers.”

Pupils had a chance to participate in virtual reality activities

Mandy Wyrwoll, Marketing Manager Coleg Sir Gâr, stated: “It was amazing to host this with Careers Wales. It gave every Year 10 learner a great opportunity to make informed decisions to support their Career path, whether it be in college or the world of work.

“It was great to see so many employers along with the College making sure that these learners had the best experience at this event.”

David Jones, stakeholder director at Blue Gem Wind, said: “Events like this are incredibly important for us. A lot of young people aren’t aware of the variety of roles available in our industry beyond engineering. From marketing and communications to HR and beyond, there’s a whole spectrum of opportunities.

“It’s great to have the chance to chat with them and show them how quickly our industry is expanding. We were pleasantly surprised by the level of interest and participation from the pupils today.”

Additionally, dedicated careers advisers were available on-site to assist students with inquiries regarding various job opportunities, courses, and qualifications. The event aimed to empower young people with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their future career paths.