The annual North East Lincolnshire Skills Fair returned on 15th July and attracted over 1,600 Year 10 students who met employers and education providers to find out about their options for the future.
The event, organised by North East Lincolnshire Council and sponsored by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, took place at Grimsby Auditorium.
The students spoke to businesses including British Steel, Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery, Ørsted UK and Siemens Mobility Ltd and education providers including the University of Hull, the University of Lincoln, Bishop Burton College and Riseholme College.
Councillor Margaret Cracknell, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to continue this annual event. It’s always very popular with our young people, and it really offers them an opportunity to connect with future and post-16 education and training providers.
“Hundreds of young people made decisions at this event about the direction of their futures, whether that be to university, into further training, a specialist or an apprenticeship. And I wish them all luck. As a council, we really want the best for all of our children and young people, and by bringing all of these and providers together, we are showing them how many potential opportunities are out there.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who attended, whether they be our young people, teachers, employers and education providers. Without you all, this would not take place.”
Other event sponsors were Franklin College, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education, and WiME (Women in Manufacturing and Engineering).
Ahead of the skills fair the Greater Lincolnshire LEP hosted a Careers Hub meeting attended by over 35 school careers leaders from across Greater Lincolnshire. They were then invited to the skills fair to hear more about the range of opportunities for young people in the area.
Lee Douglas, Strategic Hub Lead at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “Inspiring young people about the vast range of careers available on their doorstep is an important priority for the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and I’m pleased to see so many school careers leaders getting involved today.”
Phillips 66 had launched a Schools Sustainability Challenge earlier this summer, and the finalists presented their entries on the day.
More than 30 schools had been invited to come up with creative ways to support the country’s energy transition and benefit the environment. The entries were whittled down to six finalists before the presentations.
A combination of technology, biology and passion won Liam Wright, Tony Wu, Chris Richardson and Joseph Escombe £1,000 for their school, Havelock Academy in Grimsby, as well as a visit to the Phillips 66 Humber Refinery.
Our photograph shows the judging panel for the schools challenge: (left to right) Lia Nici MP, Linda Winstanley from Phillips 66, Mark Fenty from Humber Eco Partnership, Ashin Leons from Phillips 66, and Kelly Aldis from Innovate UK.
