Council’s Skills Fest inspires local students
Pupils from six of Chelmsford’s secondary schools took part in a lively, festival-style careers event on Thursday 25 June. The event showcased the wide range of employment opportunities available across Chelmsford and Essex, providing inspiration for future careers.
Skills Fest is organised by Chelmsford City Council to give young people aged 12–13 an engaging introduction to the world of work, in a setting designed to feel more like an outdoor festival than a traditional careers fair.
More than a thousand local students visited the site.
The event welcomed over 1,100 students from Beaulieu Park School, The Boswells School, Moulsham High School, The Sandon School, St John Payne Catholic School and William de Ferrers School to a sunny field on the ARU Writtle campus.
Across the day, pupils explored a broad mix of industries and roles, helping them to better understand potential career routes ahead of choosing their GCSE subjects. Supported by over 100 local employers and organisations, the event connected classroom learning with real-world experiences in an interactive and memorable way.
Interactive experiences spark conversations
Skills Fest is an event that has been running for five years and places a strong emphasis on practical learning. Students are encouraged to take part in activities reflecting real job tasks. From bricklaying to VR technology to learning CPR, the event provides Year 8 students with activities to spark conversations about what their futures could look like.
Dozens of local employers were on hand to provide advice and inspiration.
More than 100 businesses and organisations from across the area generously volunteered their time to support the event. Representing sectors from emerging technologies to traditional trades and essential services, they introduced students to career paths they may never have previously considered.
Set within the grounds of ARU Writtle, the event featured marquees, ice cream vans and music, creating a vibrant and welcoming festival atmosphere. The format of the day encouraged curiosity and confidence, giving pupils the chance to try new things in a supportive and relaxed setting while gaining a clearer picture of different industries.
Speaking about the event, Chelmsford City Council’s Chief Executive, Nick Eveleigh, said:
““We’ve designed Skills Fest to feel completely different from a typical careers event. It’s open, energetic and hands-on, so young people can explore at their own pace and discover what really interests them.
Nick Eveleigh, Chief Executive, Chelmsford City Council
“By giving students the chance to try out real activities from a wide range of industries, it helps bring careers to life in a way that’s much more meaningful than simply talking about them. It’s about sparking curiosity, building confidence and showing them the breadth of opportunities that exist right here in Chelmsford and beyond.
“Our future workforce is here within these Year 8 students, and I hope they left the event feeling inspired and excited about the possibilities ahead.”
The Mayor of Chelmsford and Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Robinson, joined students for the festival.
Spaces, zones and tents – endless career possibilities to discover
To help students navigate the event, the site was organised into six themed zones.
Step-up Space
This area focused on construction, with students given the chance to learn how to brick-lay, learn basic plumbing, electrical wiring or discover urban planning.
Inspiration Zone
What sparks the students’ inspiration most? Activities included vertical farming, history and archaeology and even Premiership trophies at the Barclays stand!
Enlightening Zone
There were a whole host of enlightening activities found in this zone, from learning about festival styling, becoming a solicitor or even a spot of bird watching! Students could also discover 3D printing, explore careers in STEM, and take part in practical activities led by Chelmsford College.
Six themed zones helped students to navigate the event.
Motivation Zone
Jobs that centre around working with people was the common denominator in this zone, with fitness checks, lab tasks, bathroom design, crime scenes and more.
Futures Tent
Students could look into the future of health and social care in humans and animals in the Futures Tent. They were encouraged to design a new city and navigate the world of logistics both on earth and in space.
Discovery Tent
Discover the great outdoors, on land, by car or in the air! Students could learn how to become a broadcaster on the radio or maintain a sustainable city. Maybe they'd consider a career in the Chelmsford City Parks team, or vroom vroom in an electric car – whatever their preference, there were plenty of hands-on activities to explore.
Planning a city and technologies of the future were just some of the activities available.
Supporting the next generation
Skills Fest plays a key role in linking young people with employers across the local area, helping to inspire future career choices while strengthening connections between education and industry.
The event is specifically aimed at Year 8 students, encouraging them to start considering their future paths ahead of making GCSE subject choices in Year 9.
By taking part in Skills Fest, employers support young people in making informed decisions while contributing to the development of skills and ambition that will benefit the region in years to come.
Councillor Terry Sherlock, Cabinet Deputy for Economy and Sustainable Transport, said:
““Chelmsford has a strong and growing economy, supported by a fantastic range of employers across many sectors. It’s vital that these workplaces have access to a skilled workforce that can meet future demand, and there’s no better time to start those conversations than at a young age.
Cllr Terry Sherlock, Cabinet Deputy for Economy and Sustainable Transport
“At this stage, many young people are unaware of the wide variety of careers available, or the skills employers are looking for. Skills Fest helps bridge that gap by linking education to real opportunities, supporting students as they begin to make important decisions about their futures, and showing them what’s possible locally. You could see on pupils' faces that they'd had a fun day!”
Delivering Skills Fest
Skills Fest was made possible thanks to funding and sponsorship from Chelmsford City Council, Essex County Council, Morgan Sindall Construction, Houghton Group and North Essex Economic Board.
It was delivered in partnership with Chelmsford City Council, ARU Writtle and Essex Agricultural Society.
