Successful Talking Futures event results in valuable career path conversations

Thoughts and valuable conversations about post 16 options were triggered following a parents’ presentation evening organised by the EM3 Careers Hub.

More than 60 parents and students attended the event held at The Vyne School, in Basingstoke, where career options, apprenticeships, degree-apprenticeships and T-levels available to school leavers were discussed.

It was part of the Talking Futures project, instigated by EM3 Careers Hub’s partner, The Careers & Enterprise Company, to facilitate and support schools to disseminate information on careers and post-16 options to parents.

Shirley Ducker, EM3 Careers Hub Enterprise Coordinator, said: “The aim of the project is to help parents have more constructive and informed careers conversations with their child about their options before they leave school. After all, parents are very influential on their child’s choices and career decisions.

“However, it’s often the case that parents are uncertain or are not aware of different options and career pathways available for their child. This was confirmed following a recent survey at the school, which showed many parents really didn’t feel confident about post-16 options.”

In an effort to make the event a little different to most school parent meetings, Shirley, with EM3 Careers Hub funding and working with Giffele Scott, Careers Leader at The Vyne School, provided a food van and soft drinks, along with a raffle for an android tablet and vouchers for school uniforms, which proved to be very popular.

Among the speakers was David Ayre who gave a candid account of how he became a Chartered Architect and went on to be a co-founder of award-winning architects Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt. David, who is also an EM3 Careers Hub Enterprise Advisor, introduced former Vyne student, James Langham, who has worked at the Basingstoke firm for a year as an Assistant Architect.
 
Vyne School Chair of Governors David Ross, works as a Solutions Architect at technology giant Fujitsu. He discussed his company’s Junior Talent Programme, apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships and its graduation programmes.
 
Representing the Department for Education Judith Moule, spoke about The ASK programme (Apprenticeship, Support, Knowledge) explaining the different levels of apprenticeships, their benefits along with how and when to go about apply for them.