Students from Great Waldingfield with a representative from the police.
Around 70 youngsters from two primary schools in Sudbury took take part in one of the only careers events for younger primary school children in the country.
The ‘Skills Escalator Day’ saw a variety of industries create short interactive sessions for children aged between six and seven giving them a window in the world of work.
The event took place at the West Suffolk College education centre in Sudbury.
This occasion was organised by the Eastern Colleges Group and was supported by a range of organisations including BT, HSBC, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, Suffolk Police and UK Power Networks.
Local MP James Cartlidge also came along and Sudbury Town Council promoted careers relating to the field of sustainability.
Organiser of the event is Victoria Fiebelkorn. The Skills Escalator Lead for the Eastern Colleges Group said: “Skills Escalator Days directly link school children with the world of work, to allow them to see and talk to people from the world of work to build in them a lifelong curiosity and passion for the world of work.
“We run these events across the region as we believe that children need to recognise that any job out there is a job that they can aspire to do. To the best of my knowledge, Skills Escalator Days are the only careers events for such a young cohort in the country…. for now, but we’re always looking to expand.”
Ava, 7 from Great Waldingfield said: “I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up but I want to make the world a better place.”
Jackson, 7 from Great Waldingfield said: “I enjoyed getting in to the back of the fire engine. It’s been exciting.”
Rebecca Dixey is a teacher from Tudor Primary School. “We wanted the children to get greater experience of local businesses and opportunities available to them in the future in terms of a career. It’s lovely for them to get a chance like this.”
Luke Johnson is a STEM ambassador for BT. In terms of why BT supported this event he said: “It’s about inspiring the next generation to think about STEM careers and bringing their curriculum to life.”
MP for South Suffolk James Cartlidge spoke to the youngsters about his experiences. Mr Cartlidge said: “I have a passion for employment and I believe that everyone should make the most of their natural talent and this is was the event was all about – so I was delighted to support it. Credit to the college for creating this event, the businesses for supporting it and the young people for making the most of this opportunity.”
The primary schools involved were Tudor and Great Waldingfield.