Our What Next event is back this week (on Wednesday), with a whole host of employers attending. Employers will be sharing career opportunities within their industry and offering guidance on how our attendees can launch their careers.

This event allows attendees to ask questions, build networks, and start discovering career paths that resonate with their aspirations.

This initiative aligns with our Careers Excellence Hubs, which offers learners valuable career-enhancing benefits such as work experience opportunities, direct engagement with employers, and access to career-focused events.

Here’s what some of the employers attending What Next are looking forward to, along with their advice for Weston College students:

Puxton Park: “We are looking forward to having exposure to potential employees for peak seasons. We would advise Weston College students to try all the opportunities you are offered!”

Future Stars Coaching: “We are looking forward to the brilliant opportunity to meet and discuss potential careers in our sector with the next generation. We have benefitted in recent years from these events and can't wait for the next one. We would advise Weston College students to ask questions at What Next, literally anything you are thinking. Talk about progressions and ultimately how these specific companies can help you get to your end goal.”

Thatchers Cider Company: “What Next is the first apprenticeship event of the year, where we always have aspiring conversations with future apprentices and students keen to explore other opportunities. We would advise Weston College students to ask lots of questions to future employers and colleagues, be confident and be yourself.”

Access Your Care: “We can’t wait to show the next generation of social care workers how exciting and rewarding a career in care can be. Keep an open mind, look at what you enjoy and where your skills lie and make your career choices from there.”

Super Culture: “We are working with WECA and Creative Youth Network to run early creatives workshops aimed at young people aged 18-30 as well as paid 6 events-based placements and creative commissions. We advise Weston College students to go for every opportunity they can and develop a wide range of skills.”

Evo: “We are looking forward to engaging with students at What Next and meeting other businesses in our industry to build future collaborations. We would advise Weston College students to have an idea what businesses or future training you may want to see. Prepare some questions you think would really help with you decision process moving forward."

Bristol Airport: “We are looking to showcase the broad range of the opportunities and career pathways at Bristol Airport, whether with Bristol Airport Limited (as the site operator) or with our 50+ Business Partners. We would also like to tell students and young people who are interested in the aviation industry about our upcoming 2024/25 Work Experience Program and apprenticeship opportunities at Bristol Airport. We would suggest to Weston College students to prepare a list of questions that they would like to ask exhibitors, namely what opportunities are available at their company, what career pathways look like, whether there are any pre-requisites or requirements for jobs at that company, whether they need to complete any additional study etc."

Bristol City Robins Foundation: “We are looking forward to engaging with lots of young people and sharing our experience of working within a sports organisation. We would advise Weston College students to make sure you do some research prior to the event and speak to as many providers as you can. You never know where a small conversation can lead to!”

Taylor Wimpey: “We are looking forward to meeting possible future industry professionals. We would advise Weston College students to make sure that you do your research into the career you are interested in.”

Avon and Somerset Police: “We are looking forward to meeting potential future employees at What Next. We would advise students to prepare or think about in advance what you want to get out of the career event. Write down the question you would like to ask. Don't be shy.”

British Army: “We hope this is an opportunity for Weston College students to learn about some of the 76 job roles within the 7 career streams in the British Army, and that your further education can be fully paid for while enjoying an exciting career. If you are unsure of what to do with your life after school, perhaps consider a career in the Armed Forces which will not only give your transferable skills in civilian life, but also a chance to enjoy something different and exciting.”

The Academy of Gymnastics: “We are looking forward to meeting the next generation of hopefully coaches at What Next! We would advise considering careers in something you are interested in and that you enjoy!”

If you haven’t booked your tickets, there is still time! Click here to reserve your space.