SUN Festival of Industries in Partnership with Dorset Careers Hub

By Elizabeth Hartless, SUN Project Coordinator & Charlie Forshaw, SUN Project Leader

Each event focused on sectors aligned to the Local Skills Improvement Plan, with schools bringing students with an interest in the sector to the event to learn about some of the career pathways available to them, and for some, what apprenticeships their company offers.

Arts University Bournemouth – The Creative Industries – 24^th January

The Lighthouse Poole – the multi-arts venue based in Poole, The Lighthouse provides a space for artists and performers to present their talent to the local community. Students got a glimpse of the kind of environments they may be working in within the creative industry, and the rich variety of jobs and skills that go towards making productions happened. They were then tasked with planning a month-long programme with the goal of making the most profit and avoiding bankrupting The Lighthouse. Students saw another side to the performing arts industry and understood all the work that goes on off stage in order for a venue like The Lighthouse to keep its’ doors open.

aIDyl – an online interior design service that utilises virtual reality, this company was made by Lydia Palmer, AUB Alumni, who studied Interior Design. Students were given a real-life design brief for a café and instructed to plan the floor plan, and select the materials and colour scheme they would use. At the end, students presented their designs, explaining why they chose what they did and how this reflected the original brief. Lydia then shared the design she did for the café, allowing students to see in a VR headset what she created.

Bournemouth University – Construction and Engineering – 26^th February

Kier Construction – a construction company that builds vital infrastructure for communities, including Bournemouth school, the Livingstone Academy, who’s students were in attendance at the event. Students learnt about the work of Kier, getting an insight into how the construction industry works by creating floor plans. In teams, students then worked through a plan for a mall, deciding on which materials they would use, weighing up cost, sustainability, and aesthetic.

ASMPT – a global electronics manufacturer with a UK base in Weymouth. ASMPT sent four of their placement students to speak about the possibilities within the engineering sector. Students learnt about the vital skills an engineer needs in three interactive activities. Students needed to optimise the building of a small Lego model, with each team member being responsible for one aspect of construction. Another challenged students’ communication skills with two needing to describe how another two students needed to build a small brick structure, with neither being able to see what the other was doing. Students were also given the opportunity to use some of the cutting-edge design technology used by engineers at ASMPT.

As a result of these events, 88% of the students in attendance felt their confidence has increased in essential soft skills such as teamwork, listening, problem solving and presenting. 94% of students reflected that they could describe the skills they already have and how these will help them to succeed in future education and career choices.

The SUN team reflected on how well students engaged with employers and a particular quote from a student highlighted how enjoyable the day was:

Make it longer or last a few days. Let me come here everyday instead of school!

We’re looking forward to our remaining events this academic year across all six of our university partner institutions!