First inter-active careers event

SUE SKINNER

West Norfolk is to host a unique "hands on" careers festival to enable young people to get a real feel of the working world.

Opportunities West Norfolk will be the first inter-active careers event to be held in the area and takes place at Lynnsport, King's Lynn on October 11 and 12.

Teenagers aged 14 to 16 are being targeted on October 12, when all local high schools will be offered subsidised transport to the festival.

Adults, including parents and carers, and youngsters outside that age group will be welcomed to the early evening opening the previous day.

Exhibitors will demonstrate the range of career opportunities offered by West Norfolk's business and services in creative and practical ways.

But the key to the event will be "ambassadors" - young employees from a variety of local companies and organisations, who will be on hand to tell students about their job and how they got into their chosen careers.

Opportunities West Norfolk events director, Andrew Coates, said: "Young people pick up strong messages about career opportunities from other young people who have already had experience of choosing a career.

"The response to this event from employers in West Norfolk has already been very positive."

The festival is being run in partnership with Connexions Norfolk and West Norfolk Council, supported by the West Norfolk Partnership and the East of England Development Agency.

It forms part of a wider initiative by the partnership to improve prosperity and strengthen the local economy in the area.

Further details about exhibiting at or visiting Opportunities West Norfolk is available from Andrew Coates or Nina Hurst-Jones on 01278 422301 or by emailing andrew.coates@opportunitieswestnorfolk.co.uk or nina.hurst-jones@opportunitieswestnorfolk.co.uk.