The College recently hosted its fifth annual Training, Employment and Apprenticeship (TEA) Fair.  This year's TEA Fair was the biggest yet, with over 65 exhibitors and more than 1,800 students in attendance, making it the largest event of its type in the South.

Students had access to an array of training providers, employers and organisations who value training and development for their employees via recognised apprenticeships, qualifications and in-house training.

With numerous sectors and career pathways on offer, students were able to secure work experience placements, apply for vacancies, gain invaluable advice on CVs, interviews and recruitment processes directly from the employers themselves.  Exhibitors ranged from accounting to care, engineering to IT and retail to sport.  The event provides progression opportunities for those opting not to go to university, plus it kick starts the first year tutorial progression topic as students begin to explore their future options.

Christine Eustace, Director of Community Engagement and Employability explains why these events are so important. “Particularly with the advent of degree apprenticeships, our students are most definitely researching all of their progression options.  Events like this help to ensure that students understand the wide range of opportunities out there for them and make well informed choices.”

Laura Wakefield, Employability Coordinator for the College was delighted with the event.  “What a fantastic event!  It was wonderful to see so many really worthwhile conversations going on between our students and the wide range of exhibitors who attended.  This will most definitely help students to make well informed decisions about their future progression choices.”

Exhibitor and Head of Career Development at Testology, Naomie Turner, said, “This is a really useful event for us with great engagement and planning.  We will definitely be back next year and recommend it to others!’’