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Virtual Careers Leader Conference is a success for the Heart of the South West Careers Hub

The Heart of the South West (HotSW) Careers Hub embraced technology to hold its first successful online conference for Career Leaders.

Encounters with employers bring the world of work to life for young people. Research shows that a young person who has four or more encounters with an employer is 86% less likely to be unemployed or not in education or training and can earn up to 18% more during their career.

The HotSW Careers Hub work to support Career Leaders in schools and colleges to bring this to life for students across the Heart of the South West.

Due to coronavirus, on the 4 November 2020, the HotSW Career Hub harnessed digital technology to host an online Careers Leader Conference.

The event, delivered by Astley Media, featured key speakers, including John Yarham, interim Chief Executive, The Careers & Enterprise Company and a question and answer panel discussion. In addition, Careers Leaders were able to visit an online Expo area and engage with a range of employers from across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.

Delegates also enjoyed informative presentations from Barclays Life Skills, Talentino, NHS Apprenticeships, and Cosmic UK explained how schools and colleges can use LinkedIn to develop alumni networks.

The event attracted lots of positive feedback from participants:

“Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the event today – well done to you all”

“Incredibly insightful and really well run!”

“Thanks so much for a fantastic conference today – so impressed by the interactive setup and how you have used tech to provide links, resources and access to providers. An excellent example of how we can continue to innovate and work together for our students, no matter what the situation! Very best wishes and thanks to everyone involved.”

The Careers Hub would like to thank the following speakers, panel guests, and company representatives at the event:

• Advance Youth Now
• Army Careers
• Babcock – Chris Allen (Trademaster), John Heliwell
• BAE Systems
• Be Ready Employer Hub
• Cosmic – Becky Craven
• Bluescreen IT
• Building Greater Exeter
• Careerpilot
• City College Plymouth
• Careers and Enterprise Company – Clare Hutchinson, John Yarham (Interim CEO), Kelly Dillon (Education Manager SEND)
• CSW Group
• Tech South West – Dan Pritchard
• Hinkley Point C
• Talentino – Jenny Connick
• Barclays Life Skills – Mark Frederick
• Neon
• Sidmouth College – Nicky Young (Careers Leader)
• Panjango
• Peninsula Training
• Proud to Care Devon
• Richard Huish College
• Royal Navy Area Engagement
• Skills Builder Partnership
• Springboard
• Start
• Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust – NHS Apprenticeships/Careers – Suzanne Hubbard
• Thales
• UOTC
• Wessex Water
• Whizz-kids

More about the Heart of the South West Careers Hub

The Heart of the South West Careers Hub is one of 34 Careers Hubs in England, established in collaboration with The Careers and Enterprise Company to help transform careers education for young people around the country. The HotSW Careers Hub is delivered by the Heart of the South West (HotSW) LEP.

Find out more about the Heart of the South West Careers Hub