Children and young people who have experienced care were given the opportunity to talk to local employers and education providers to help plot their futures at a special careers event.

Dozens of Wiltshire young people, carers and support workers attended the Wiltshire Council event in Trowbridge Civic Centre.

The 26 stands included local employers, support organisations and education providers, such as colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers.

The University of Bath offered CV advice sessions and there was also a live demonstration of animal care with Haddon Training.

During the event Joshua Knight, a care leaver who is an apprentice with the Rural Payments Agency spoke about his experiences and how he was surrounded by positive role models. Joshua completed a degree and was supported through Devon County Council’s Step Forward programme.

All the young people that completed the feedback questionnaires said they would recommend the event to a friend. One young person said:

People understood me and my needs and made me feel comfortable.

Cllr Pauline Church, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills, met some of the stall holders and those attending.

She said:

Young people in care and care leavers deserve to have every opportunity to fulfil their potential.

We value the number of companies and training providers who are here to help young people think about the next steps in their education or employment. I’m sure many of our young people will come away with some great ideas for the future and I wish them well as they plot their future course.

For further support and information for anything employment and skills related in Wiltshire you can find out more detail at Work Wiltshire.