Skills Fair returns to showcase careers for areas young people

Over the last few years the skills fair has hit a positive note with the region’s young people, giving them a chance to spend a day meeting some of the areas key employers and education/training providers and plan out their future careers.

The fair is organised by a partnership made up of North East Lincolnshire Council, Franklin College, Grimsby Institute, the Careers & Enterprise Company and the Department for Work and Pensions.

This year’s event is being hosted at Grimsby Auditorium next week, and will see schools from across North East Lincolnshire attend.

Last year, the fair saw over 1200 visitors and more than 70 exhibitors. This year over 1400 students are expected to attend.

Councillor Ian Lindley, portfolio holder for children and young people at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “The Skills Fair has proven very popular with students, schools, employers and training providers.

”It really is a great forum for young people to put themselves out there, learn what careers are on offer in our area, and find something that suits them.

“I would say to young people don’t let anybody tell you that there aren’t any good careers in this area. It’s simply not the case. There are lots of really exciting opportunities right on your doorstep – it’s up to you to go along, ask the right questions and then plan your future.”

Following on from the success of last year, the STEM Village will return to provide young people with information about careers in science, technology, engineering and maths, as well as the energy and renewables sectors. The STEM Village will this year be sponsored by Phillips 66.

Spokesperson for Phillips 66, Nina Stobart, said: “Following the success of the STEM Village at the Skills Fair last year, we are delighted to that Phillips 66 Humber Refinery is the sponsor of the STEM Village within the 2019 Skills Fair.

“Phillips 66 is an international company and its Humber Refinery is a key regional employer.

“Humber is one of the most complex refineries in the Phillips 66 portfolio and one of the most sophisticated in Europe, not only supplying traditional refined fuels, but also investing multimillion pounds into bio fuel and rapid expansion into the electric vehicle market where Humber makes a key component in lithium ion batteries. A refinery for the future making Phillips 66 the ideal sponsor of the STEM Village.”

The Skills Fair will be held at Grimsby Auditorium and is an invitation-only event.