On 27th of September 2023, the Amberside team exhibited at the local Career Fairs organised by the Community Action Dacorum and sponsored by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). It was a great opportunity for us to connect with the next generation of employees and educate them about the advantages of pursuing careers in project finance and commercial advisory.
The fair took place at the prestigious Shendish Manor in Apsley and drew a substantial crowd, with more than 1,100 attendees representing 15 different schools within the Dacorum Borough. Throughout the bustling day, we welcomed a diverse group of visitors, ranging from Year 11 students currently preparing for their GCSE exams this summer to Sixth Form and West Herts College students.
Debra, Marta, Yaoyu, Alex, Steve, Rob and John, under the guidance from Vicki Hawes, ensured that every visitor received a warm reception from Amberside and gained a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and drawbacks of pursuing a career in commercial consultancy, as well as the potential opportunities within the field.
‘It’s always exciting to engage with young people who are looking at their future options – it’s great to hear about their aspirations and be able to offer them guidance towards a rewarding career. I’m especially passionate about encouraging women to give a career in finance a try, so it was great to speak to many engaged teenagers, who showed immense potential and interest in the sector.‘ commented Vicki, Amberside Chief People Officer.
‘I really enjoy telling people about the projects we work on at Amberside, the myriad of ways in which you can harness energy and the magic that happens behind the scenes (a.k.a. financial modelling) that supports our clients in their decision-making processes. Many visitors at our stand were truly impressed with the breadth of our services, the potential of the renewable energy market as well as the opportunities for career development in the financial sector.‘ she added.
At Amberside, we always strive to get involved in supporting our local community. Apart from our participation in this year’s fairs, we have extended offers of career guidance assistance and the possibility of work experience to the most enthusiastic participants from local schools.
It’s also worth noting that the event was held as part of Generation Dacorum series, one of the Hertfordshire LEP flagship initiatives that support delivery of the national Careers & Enterprise Company programme by enabling local schools and colleges to offer students the chance to interact directly with employers – a key component of the Gatsby Benchmarks, which define the gold standard for careers education provision.
With Neil Rutledge, Amberside Director, being the Deputy Chair of Hertfordshire LEP and Vicki Hawes, our Chief People Officer, acting as the financial sector skills representative, we have a longstanding connection to the organisation and fully identify ourselves with their mission to shine a spotlight on opportunities available to young people within the region.
Events such as this week’s Career Fair give the visitors a chance to discover local employers, learn about the roles and entry routes on offer and the skills desired from potential candidates, while also providing a valuable opportunity for businesses to strengthen their relationship with local schools and colleges and develop their future talent pipeline.
‘The Generation careers fairs play a vital role in raising young people’s aspirations and ensuring they are best placed to seize the opportunities on their doorstep.‘ commented Adrian Hawkins, Chair of Hertfordshire LEP.
