3,000 Learners Make EXPO10 East Lancashire’s Biggest School Careers Event

3,000 LEARNERS MAKE EXPO10 EAST LANCASHIRE’S BIGGEST SCHOOL CAREERS EVENT

On 27 and 28 January 2010, approximately 3,000 year 9 school pupils from across Hyndburn, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley attended Expo10; East Lancashire’s biggest guidance and employment pathways event organised by Lancashire Education Business Partnership (LEBP).

The event took place over the entire Accrington and Rossendale College campus and was designed to give youngsters an opportunity to talk to local employers, learn about different careers, take part in competitions and workshops and be exposed to the myriad of possibilities available to them when they leave school. There was also a ‘Big Brother’ style diary room in the College’s Coppice Building, where students got the opportunity to give their feedback on the day. 

The event was split into four sessions over two days and at any one time up to 700 year 9 learners were at Accrington and Rossendale College talking to employers from all industries including catering, sport, construction, public services, business and administration, media, dance, hair and beauty and more.  Companies in attendance included:

·         The Army
·         BT
·         Accrington Stanley Football Club
·         Greggs North West
·         BBC Radio Lancashire
·         Lancashire Police Constabulary

Nicola Brooks from Lancashire Education Business Partnership commented, “Expo10 is the biggest careers event East Lancashire has ever seen and we are thrilled with the way it went. The school pupils had a fantastic day and we have already had excellent feedback from schools in attendance. The employers really got involved and some of the Army staff in attendance even took part in the dance workshops that the College staff put on for the learners. We hope that we have helped the school children realise their future aspirations and we look forward to putting on more careers events in the future.”

Azz Mirza, Lead Schools Liaison Officer at Accrington and Rossendale College, commented, “We’re really happy with the way the event went and we were very pleased that so many local businesses took time out of their busy schedules to talk to youngsters and let them know about the different career paths and opportunities that are out there.”

In addition to the activities organised by employers, the College put on several hands-on workshops for learners to participate in including a dance demonstration and construction challenges.