Form the Future welcomed 480 children to the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) annual primary school careers fair at Cambridge Regional College on Tuesday, 4 March 2025. The event brought together 27 businesses and pupils aged 9 to 11 from ten Cambridgeshire schools, giving them the chance to explore a variety of careers and industries by engaging with professionals from different sectors. Later in the day, students from CRC also had the opportunity to connect with the companies.
The event was officially opened by Cllr Elisa Meschini, deputy leader of Cambridgeshire County Council and GCP chair, alongside Anne Bailey, CEO of Form the Future.
Small groups of children moved around the fair, participating in hands-on activities that showcased the unique aspects of each career. The event featured a broad range of industries, from construction and banking to archaeology, engineering, planning, and fitness.
Standout moments included practising CPR with Royal Papworth Hospital, discovering archaeology with the University of Cambridge archaeology department, exploring sustainability in food and farming with G’s Fresh, learning about museum careers with University of Cambridge Museums, trying on protective gear with Wates Construction, and testing their courage with rock climbing activities led by Fenland Adventure.
Funded by the Greater Cambridge Partnership, the careers fair is part of a wider programme that also includes an afternoon session, where hundreds of CRC students meet with local employers to explore potential career paths.
Anne Bailey, CEO of Form the Future, said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting the primary school careers fair for the fourth consecutive year. Inspiring young people to explore future career possibilities is invaluable – it broadens horizons, raises aspirations and challenges stereotypes. A huge thank you to our business partners, CRC, and the Greater Cambridge Partnership for their support in making this event both exciting and meaningful.”
Laura Kerry, vice principal for people and commerce, CRC, added: “Careers education is vital from primary school through to post-16 and adulthood. We’re pleased to host this event for younger pupils and to welcome even more employers in the afternoon to support our students as they plan their next steps, whether in education, employment, or career transitions.”
Cllr Elisa Meschini, GCP chair, said: “Connecting people to the expanding, exciting career opportunities in Greater Cambridge is key to our future – as to me, skills are just as an essential piece of infrastructure as new transport routes. Sharing knowledge of the jobs and training opportunities with our young people is important for our continued growth so we’d like to thank all the employers, training providers and young people who attended the fairs. Form the Future and CRC do such great work bringing everyone together which is why the Greater Cambridge Partnership is so pleased fund these events.”