Schools careers services advise their students about finding their perfect job. This can be challenging should they be, for example, inundated by a group of boys saying they want to play for their local Premier league football team.

It’s not about shattering their dreams but providing them with realistic options and the information to help and guide them into other potential roles should their football trails not give them the career break they are hoping for.

DES has an active work placement team working with schools throughout Haringey and in Islington to provide work placement experiences and events to assist pupils learn about their options after school.

In December 2018, DES participated in two careers fairs held in Tottenham schools. On both occasions Harry Moore, an apprentice from our sister company, Diamond Build Plc, attended to tell students about his job and how he is making construction his career of choice.

The first event, at Harris Academy Tottenham, featured 25 employers who met small groups of pupils from years 10 and 11 to talk about their profession, work and career routes.

Many pupils asked Harry questions ranging from how he got his apprenticeship; how many days he studies on day release; is his job interesting, to what kinds of buildings does he build and where are they?

The event was also an opportunity to promote Diamond Build’s apprenticeship scheme for all school leavers who may wish to start working at 18 rather than go straight into higher education. Details can be found here:

The second careers event at Park View Academy hosted over 30 employers, sixth form colleges, universities and advice agencies, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, the University of Westminster and various local companies, all wishing to promote their career / study / work opportunities.

At both events it was really not surprising to hear a lot of students say they still had no idea what they wanted to do for their career. All we could advise was to encourage them to work hard to get good grades and then they would have more choices and options when leaving school.