Vestas, Red Funnel and GKN Aerospace are among a variety of businesses opening their doors on the Isle of Wight next month for people to find out more about career opportunities.
Solent Partners Careers Hub, working with Island Careers Partnership, The Isle of Wight College and HTP Apprenticeship College, have launched Open for Business on the Isle of Wight on Saturday 23 March. Free talks and tours will be held at a range of businesses across the Island to give an immersive, behind-the-scenes experience to young people looking to find out what sector they would like to work in, or for people finding out about work in a completely different industry to the one that they currently work in.
Solent Partners Chair, Rachael Randall, said: “Whether it’s food, fashion, beauty, healthcare, sustainable tech, transport or building aircraft for the future, this is your chance to find out more about the fantastic careers available on the Isle of Wight.
“The Island has a vast number of business sectors based here, with many great job opportunities associated with them. Come and take a look at what’s on offer and speak to those working there about the skills that are required.
“The Solent Careers Hub want to inspire the next generation of professionals and foster meaningful connections between jobseekers and local businesses through our ongoing programme of immersive experience days.
“Open for Business on the Isle of Wight could be your first step to a new career!”
In addition to Red Funnel in East Cowes, and the IoW NHS Trust in Newport, doors will open at Vestas Offshore Wind Blades UK, in Newport; GKN in East Cowes; the Isle of Wight Council in Newport; Teemill, in East Cowes; and UKSA maritime youth charity, Cowes.
Beth Mansell, Career Development Facilitator at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said:
“We are looking forward to taking part in Open for Business 2024, which is a real first for our Island community. Our talented colleagues will be showcasing the skills needed for a wide range of job roles within Health and Care, and they will support anyone who is exploring career opportunities in the sector to make an informed decision about their pathway.”
Richard White is Chair of the Island Careers Partnership (ICP), one of the founding partners of this Open Day event. ICP build links between education and business on the island, to help create a better understanding of the diverse range of jobs available and the skills, characteristics and qualities needed. They look to find ways of building career aspirations from an early age, and help guide young people into the world of work.
He said of the Open for Business event: “We are so grateful to the businesses taking part and opening their doors both to young people, in order to enthuse them about potential career paths, and for those who would like to find out about alternative career options away from what they currently do.
“Working collaboratively is at the heart of what the Island Careers Partnership is all about, and this input from various Isle of Wight-based organisations and businesses makes a huge difference to the future career and life choices of our young people. The Island is packed full of interesting jobs and sectors, and we need to ensure that when young people begin to make career choices, they don’t automatically look away from the innovative and interesting industries based here on the Isle of Wight.”
For those interested in taking part in Open for Business on the Isle of Wight, it is vital that they book as spaces are limited. All of the businesses and links to booking forms can be found on the Solent Partners Open for Business page.