Helping students plan for their future!

We were pleased to be able to exhibit at the Your Future event on Wednesday 7th June at St Mary's Stadium, organised by SEF (the Southampton Education Forum). The event was aimed at Year 10 students starting to think about their future plans and Year 11 students who were undecided still or at risk of being NEET. Over 1,500 young people and their parents/carers or siblings came through the door!

At the event attendees could speak to colleges, sixth forms, employers, training providers and personal development partners and get their questions answered. We had two separate stands at the event, a general college one in the main “college zone” and a SEND-focused one highlighting our Foundation Learning provision. Support from the Marketing & Admissions team, Lucy Godwin and Becky Murray meant we were able to talk to a large number of students and parents/carers throughout the afternoon and evening.

Excitingly we also had access to TECH:TRUCK for the event which was parked outside the stadium. TECH:TRUCK aims to promote STEM careers and engage children and young adults with industry-led, cutting-edge technologies.

The TECH:TRUCK saw Fareham College lead the project with collaboration from six other local education providers including ourselves, HSDC, Eastleigh College, City of Portsmouth College, IOW College, and Brockenhurst College alongside the Institute of Technology and The Solent Local Economic Partnership.

Our Marine team led by Curriculum Manager Matt Yarwood used the TECH:TRUCK to promote Marine, Engineering and Motor Vehicle courses to visitors using new technologies including augmented reality systems which created a virtual pipe game along with marine and motor vehicle simulation technology powered through an Xbox gaming system. This combined with physical elements such as an electric boat motor really created a buzz around these careers and the possibility of future technologies.

Thank you to everyone that supported with this innovative city-wide event.