A new careers facility has been opened at Truro and Penwith College in Cornwall.
The 'Career Zone' has been constructed as a part of an investment of £1.375m the college has received from the Department and Education's Strategic Development Fund for industry-led facility development.
New facilities include confidential breakout rooms, conversation pods and workspaces with careers resources and guidance integrated into curriculum.
Alongside the new development the college also launched its new careers strategy, which will offer an enhanced level of careers advice to young people aged 11 - 18 across the Duchy.
Lord lieutenant of Cornwall Edward Bolitho cut the ribbon at an official launch event at Truro College, with work underway to install the second Career Zone at Penwith College over the Easter break.
Mr Bolitho said: “I’m deeply impressed that this 'Career Zone' is opening. It’s all very well giving someone a really good education, which you get at this college, but at the end of it you’ve got to find them a good job. It’s really important that a place like this can tell people a little bit about what the world of work is like. I’m very excited to cut the ribbon, I always love to do it!”
The 'Career Zone' facilities and strategy have been developed alongside embedding careers in the college curriculum, thanks to funding from the Government’s Shared Prosperity fund. The work is backed by the expansion of the college’s careers team, which has grown to 17, across both its Truro and Penzance campuses.
Tim Moody, employability and careers lead at the college, said: “This new facility and strategy prove our dedication to support students to reach their aspirations. We want to challenge students, help them look, reach, and go further during their time with us and make careers advice cool.
“The 'Career Zone' will allow students to research job opportunities, analyse labour market information and conduct job readiness activities. It is vital for us as educators to prepare our young people for their futures, and to have a strong bond with employers. We are proud that our students will be able to get inspired by our new careers advisors and find out about amazing careers right here in Cornwall and beyond.”
Amongst the 'Career Zone' Conference’s keynote speakers was Katherine Jennick, founder of the acclaimed ‘What’s Your Strength?’ tool used by careers advisors across the UK and David Allison, co-founder and chief executive of GetMyFirstJob who led a seminar on labour market trends.
Ms Jennick commented: “It was lovely to be able to share my passion about helping young people develop self-awareness. I wish every single school and college had a Career Zone just like this one. It’s amazing, what a fantastic opportunity for young people locally.”
Last year the college opened a huge new state-of-the-art skills institute to offer adult education courses for people over the age of 19, with training developed in collaboration with employers and in line with the local skills strategies of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP, Cornwall Council and Cornwall Chamber of Commerce.
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