Students from Years 10-13 attended the inaugural SEND Skills Career Fair in Dudley, to support them in planning their next steps in life after leaving Brooke Weston Academy, and to ensure they have the necessary skills to succeed.

Students had the opportunity to speak with and gain guidance from prospective employers and apprenticeship providers including West Midlands Police; electricians; digital marketers; nail technicians as well as getting some hands-on experience of some of the skills required in these careers.

Sarah Udall, Year 13, tried her hand at wiring a plug and a light fitting, preparing acrylic nails and making use of the 'green screen' to prepare a blog to communicate her experience and findings from her extended project qualification (EPQ)

Sarah said, ‘The event was good, there was a lot to do there, and it was useful speaking with West Midlands Police to confirm that forensics is the career route I wish to follow.’

David Keuneke, Year 12 said, ‘It was useful to get the opportunity to speak with people from industries that you might not have thought to consider. It also demonstrated that there are lots of opportunities for jobs and careers aside from a traditional university based route.’

Post-16 Co-Curricular Coordinator, Louise Hegarty said, ‘The Careers Fair was supported by the Apprenticeship Support & Knowledge (ASK) programme who have been working with our students to increase awareness and understanding of what apprenticeships are and the advantages they can have over traditional degrees. An exciting development for apprenticeships is the recent approval of the standards required for qualifying as a doctor through the apprenticeship route. The first apprenticeships are due to start in September this year. This now means that there are very few job roles and associated qualifications that can’t be achieved though choosing to complete an apprenticeship.’