The London Careers Festival, organized by the City of London Corporation, is set to provide employment guidance, apprenticeships, and work experience to more than 30,000 young individuals. Major global institutions, including the BBC, PwC, Vodafone, and the NHS, will participate in the event to inspire primary and secondary pupils towards successful careers. The focus of the Festival this year is on ‘fusion skills,’ encompassing non-technical abilities such as oral communication, creativity, organizing, flexibility, resilience, and critical thinking. Amidst high youth unemployment rates in the UK, the Festival aims to address the importance of these skills, as recognized by employers, in the current and future job market.
Scheduled to run from February 26 to March 8 at the City Corporation’s Guildhall headquarters and other venues, the Festival will feature workshops and demonstrations from 22 firms across various sectors. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating job applicants not only for technical skills but also for their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities. The event seeks to create a diverse and resilient future workforce, fostering social mobility and providing opportunities for individuals from less advantaged backgrounds.
Chair of the London Careers Festival, Naresh Sonpar, emphasized the need to boost social mobility, encouraging support for young people to create a competitive and inclusive economy. The Festival will include tailored sessions for individuals with special needs, disabilities, care leavers, or those known to social workers. Companies like Keltbray are actively participating, recognizing the Festival’s role in shaping the careers of future industry leaders.
The City Corporation, committed to social mobility, sponsors academies, supports apprenticeship placements, and is involved in various initiatives, including the Social Mobility Employer Index and Progress Together. Additionally, it funds Heart of the City, a charity promoting responsible business practices among SMEs in collaboration with likeminded companies.
