12 February 2025

Community invited to major Withernsea High School careers night

by Tim Nuttall

Residents of South East Holderness are invited to meet representatives from some of the area’s leading employers and education, training, and apprenticeship providers at a careers event in Withernsea.

The opportunity is being offered as part of a careers evening and futures fair at Withernsea High School on Thursday, February 13.

Although primarily open to the school’s students and their families, a limited number of places are being offered to members of the community who may be looking for a return to work, a change of career, or information about further education.

School careers leader Viki Foster said: “While such fairs have been a popular element of our careers programme for a number of years, they have traditionally taken place during the school day and have been held for single year groups.

“Last year, we made the decision to trial an evening event. This allowed us to open the fair up to multiple year groups and provide parents and carers with an opportunity to attend alongside their children.

“It also enabled us to invite members of the community for the first time, giving them direct access to employers, training providers and sources of careers information and guidance in their locality.

“We were delighted with the response to this approach and are pleased to offer a similar opportunity once again.”

Among those confirmed to attend the event are representatives from Wilberforce, Wyke, Bishop Burton, East Riding and Hull colleges, plus apprenticeship and independent training providers including Catch Apprenticeships and HETA (Humber Engineering Training Association).

Companies operating in a variety of sectors including finance, media, legal services, manufacturing, engineering, construction, health and social care, and renewable energy, will also be represented.

Among them are Smailes Goldie Accountants, RWE Renewable Energy, Rollits solicitors, Centrica Storage, Holderness Health, Martin Williams Hull and Cranswick Country Foods (Preston).

They will be joined by representatives of public services including the police force, the fire brigade and the British Army.

In addition, independent careers advice providers including Log on Move on, Skills Hull and East Riding, the Humber Outreach Programme and Women into Manufacturing and Engineering (WiME) will also be present.

Reflecting on the importance of the careers evening as a platform to promote opportunities, Viki added: “As a secondary school, we are privileged to work with young people through five crucial years of their growth towards adulthood.

“For our year nine students, the timing of the event coincides with them beginning the selection process for the GCSE subjects that will begin to shape their pathways for post-16 study and employment.

“For our year 10 students, who have already begun thinking about their formal progression to post-16 destinations, the event will provide an opportunity for direct interaction with education and training providers as they explore their next steps.

“Meanwhile, for our year 11 students, the event comes just 12 weeks before the start of the summer examination period. While many of the cohort will already have a clear idea of their post-16 plans, we hope that the careers fair will help to reinforce existing decisions while helping to promote and inspire new opportunities for any who remain unsure.

“Our commitment to the long-term success of our students doesn’t end when they complete year 11 and we are always keen to extend our support beyond the boundaries of their formal time with us. This support encompasses friends, family and members of our wider school community who we are also pleased to support.

“These efforts wouldn’t be possible without the help of the many companies and organisations who will not only be contributing towards our upcoming event, but who also support our careers programme and our community throughout the rest of the year. I would like to thank them all for their continuing support.”

Anyone interested in attending the event as a guest from the community can request a place by contacting Viki via email at [email protected] or by phone on 01964 611545. Limited places are available and these must be booked and confirmed in advance.

The event is accessible to the community between 6.30pm and 7.30pm and will take place in the school’s main hall.