Surrey’s inaugural Festival of Skills took place last week (23 November 2023) with over 1,300 young people attending the event.
The festival, which took place at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, was open to young people aged 14 to 18 who are in education in Surrey.
The aim of the festival was to provide these young people with the opportunity to hear and learn from some of the county’s brightest businesses and training providers, and to find out more about potential career opportunities.
Star attractions on the day included a prototype supercar worth more than £2 million created by Guildford-based Gordon Murray Designs and a robotic dog, which construction firm Balfour Beatty are using on the current M25 improvements and other major schemes.
There were over 80 exhibitors in attendance at the festival, including Samsung, British Airways, Pfizer, Haleon, and BAE Systems. Public sector institutions were also represented with the Animal & Plant Health Agency, NHS, armed forces and Surrey Fire & Rescue among those at the festival.
Other sectors represented include the creative arts, construction, cyber security, health and social care, technology, engineering, public sector, and hospitality.
The event was organised and funded by Surrey County Council, with support from the Association of Learning Providers Surrey (ALPS) and Surrey Event Professionals.
Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, described the event as “a big success” and hoped it would lead to positive outcomes for the wider Surrey economy in years to come.
In opening the event, Cllr Oliver said: “We have a vibrant, thriving, and diverse economy in Surrey, which generates roughly £50 billion a year for the UK.
“With a skilled workforce, high business success rate and enviable location, there is huge potential to grow the economy of Surrey sustainably in years to come.
“The single most important component to achieving that growth is the individual contributions of our workforce. It’s their talent, their ideas, their passion which makes organisations thrive and prosper.
“That is why the Festival of Skills is so important. Because it provides opportunities for our local young people to experience, to connect, to be inspired about their future.”
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport & Economic Growth, said: “The first-ever Festival of Skills was a day to remember for all involved, and I’m delighted these students had the invaluable opportunity to meet major employers and be inspired about their futures.
“This was also a great opportunity for employers to connect with the young people who will make up the county’s future workforce. This represents an important part of our wider Skills agenda, which itself will be vital in realising our mission to ensure No One is Left Behind.
“I want to thank everyone involved – our young people, schools, businesses and training providers – for supporting a fantastic event and I hope we can repeat it in years to come.”
The event also hosted the official launch of the new Surrey Careers Hub, a single service covering the whole county designed to work with secondary schools, special schools and colleges to ensure every young person can find their best next step.
For further information visit www.surreyfestivalofskills.co.uk.
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Surrey News 
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