Some of the city’s biggest and best known employers are returning to taking part in this year’s Launchpad Live, a two-day future careers event showcasing the range of opportunities available locally and promoting the city’s key growth sectors.
Hosted at Home Park, Launchpad Live will run on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 September 2023 and aims to inspire and raise aspirations of local young people, and improve awareness of local career choices and progression pathways available after they leave school.
More than 60 employers and organisations will be taking part, including Babcock, University Hospital Plymouth, Kier Construction, Plymouth Community Homes, Go South West, Theatre Royal, Ward Williams Associates, Greenlight Safety and Training, the Armed Forces, City College Plymouth, Building Plymouth, Skills Launchpad Plymouth and Plymouth Manufacturers Group.
Launchpad Live will showcase the city’s key employment and growth sectors to over 2,000 students in school years 9 to 13, through interactive zones along with the latest immersive technology focused on marine, engineering and manufacturing; health and care; construction and the built environment; tourism, hospitality and retail; technology, business and creative services, as well as the Armed Forces and the emerging green and sustainability career opportunities.
The event is being organised by Plymouth City Council in partnership with YMCA Plymouth.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said: “This fantastic event will give thousands of young people the chance to learn about all the exciting job opportunities on offer and the huge range of sectors that are flourishing in Plymouth. It’s really important that we help local employers by showcasing these roles to young people and making them aware of the breadth of career options available so they’re inspired to become future employees.”
Jonathan Keable, Chair of the Plymouth Employment and Skills Board said: “Thank you to our 60+ employers and organisations for helping to inspire our local young people, to explore career options and opportunities available in Plymouth. Also thanks to Plymouth City Council and YMCA for organising this Launchpad Live event; to encourage our youth to develop a diverse range of skills, to help them become more adaptable, secure and prosperous in a changing job market.”
Tom Lavis, CEO of YMCA Plymouth said: "As a Plymouth charity that has supported young people's aspirations in the city for 175 years, YMCA is delighted to bring this exciting careers event to life in partnership with Plymouth City Council. We believe it's vital to showcase what fantastic opportunities are out there to students and their parents. We're very proud of how we have been able to make this event truly accessible for young people and the wide scope of employers and trainers, which has now made this an annual landmark event for the city."
Launchpad Live is open to the public at Home Park on Thursday 28 September between 4pm and 6pm. All other times on both days are reserved for school bookings only.