A careers and recruitment day was held at Neale-Wade Academy to tie in with National Apprenticeship Week.
The day, held in conjunction with The Skills Service, was an opportunity for students to meet future employers.
Director of curriculum and careers, Sam Mandley, emphasised the value of the event to the students who had attended.
“The businesses and organisations involved were able to answer questions from our students on a range of topics like what opportunities are there in your business, what do I need to do to apply for an apprenticeship and what grades do I need?
“The students were very positive and welcomed the opportunity to speak to employers,” she said.
“Finding out about apprenticeships and graduate training schemes as well as opportunities after college or post 16 means they are becoming more confident about preparing for the next steps in their learning or education.”
Year 9 student, Jess Ludlow, said: “It was really good to be able to meet local businesses and complete the tasks they had brought with them.
“Coming to the careers event has made me start to think about the opportunities I will have after I finish school.”
Jason Wing, Executive Principal of Neale-Wade Academy, commented: “The event represented an excellent opportunity for students to engage with local employers.
“We know that this sort of activity supports students in preparing for the next stage in their education or training.
“It also raises the profile of local businesses with young people and showcases the variety of opportunities there are in the community.”
More than 1,000 children from years 9 to 13 attended, which saw businesses offering their advice on the world of work and the various different routes into employment.
The day had a specific emphasis on the benefits of apprenticeships as an alternative to university or college.
Twenty-seven businesses attended the event, including Smurfit Kappa Ltd, Stainless Metalcraft Ltd, the British Army, NHS, Barclays Bank Plc, Allpress Farms Ltd and Peterborough United Football Club.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here