national careers week round-up 2026

At the start of the month, we had a fantastic and inspiring Careers Week filled with guest speakers, hands‑on resources, and plenty of opportunities for students to explore their futures. Across three busy days, students engaged with employers, gained insights into different industries, and discovered new pathways available to them both locally and nationally.

day 1: launching national careers week

The week began with a refreshed careers noticeboard in a central student space, and displays of resources across the common area.

Students were introduced to a range of activities designed to help them reflect on their strengths, interests, and goals, including the ‘About Me’ worksheet and signposting to the National Careers Week Virtual Careers Fair.

talks and activities

• Working in West Sussex (LMI) – offering insights into local labour market opportunities. Students were thoughtful and reflective during the sessions, and several commented on finding the information genuinely useful for planning their next steps.

• Mace Construction online talk – provided an overview of emerging technologies in construction.

• 1:1 Careers Appointments – six students were inspired to book personalised guidance sessions following the morning’s introductions.

A great start to the week, with students already showing increased curiosity and motivation to find out more about possible future pathways.

day 2: exploring early careers and public service

Day two welcomed visitors from two very different sectors, giving students a broad sense of the options that might suit their aspirations or learning styles.

boots early careers talk

Boots offered an engaging and informative session, rich with practical detail about early entry routes into the organisation. Students responded well and commented that the advice felt relevant and helpful. The talk was so well‑received that we plan to replay the recording for those who missed it.

armed forces presentation

The afternoon session introduced students to the wide variety of roles and skills development opportunities available within the Armed Forces. Even for those unfamiliar with this career path, it provided a valuable perspective on teamwork, training, and the range of vocational routes available.

day 3: apprenticeships and the creative industries

Our final day of Careers Week brought two contrasting but equally valuable insights.

worthing college apprenticeships session

Emma from Worthing College delivered an excellent, clear and relatable session on apprenticeships. Students listened with real focus and many benefitted from tailored advice on local opportunities. Importantly, students gained a better understanding that even if their ideal role isn’t currently recruiting, applying for related apprenticeship areas is still a strong and proactive step.

QR-coded information sheets about the college’s apprenticeship service were distributed and displayed on asphaleia noticeboards for students to revisit.

film & TV careers online talk

The afternoon introduced students to the world of Film and TV through the lens of a Pixar Producer’s career journey. While the session took a more inspirational, industry‑level approach, it gave students a sense of the creativity and breadth of opportunity within the sector.

a successful and insightful week

Overall, Careers Week gave our students a range of encounters with employers, colleges, and industry experts. Many students engaged with excellent questions and booked appointments, and thought more intentionally about their future pathways.

A huge thank you to all our speakers and staff who contributed to the week’s success.