Thousands head to Derbyshire Skills Festival in Chesterfield

Thousands of young people visited the first day of Derbyshire Skills Festival − the county’s largest careers event.

Derbyshire County Council, who organise this event with Derby City Council and is aimed at students aged 15 to 19, including those in Year 11 who are considering their options after school.

The first of this year’s 3 events was held at Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Chesterfield on Thursday 14 September with employers, colleges, training providers and voluntary organisations offering free support and guidance.

Young people also got the chance to take part in have-a-go sessions including engineering, media and health and social care.

This week Derbyshire Skills Festival moves on to The Roundhouse, Derby College, Derby on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September.

Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Young People at Derbyshire County Council, said:-

“We’re delighted with this year’s turnout to the Derbyshire Skills Festival in Chesterfield − it was fantastic to see so many enthusiastic young people exploring all of their career options.

“We received lots of positive feedback from students on how useful they found the event and the fun-packed ‘have-a-go’ sessions were very popular too.

“The festival moves to Derby this week so if anyone missed the Chesterfield event they can come long to the Roundhouse, Derby College on either Wednesday or Thursday and I am very much looking forward to meeting some of the students there.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved for making the event such a success.”

There will also be sessions for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and young people who aren’t in education, employment or training will also be invited.