Over 200 young people attended Surrey Careers Hub’s successful Transitions Fair at Surrey County Council’s Woodhatch Place, Reigate, as part of National Careers Week (Friday, March 7, 2025).

This event was specifically created to enable young people being educated in specialist schools and alternative provision to understand the options available for their transition from education to employment, further education, training or social settings.

The Fair saw enthusiastic participation from 12 Surrey schools, bringing together over 200 students.

The event was supported by over 20 exhibitors, including colleges and educators, employers, employment support organisations, apprenticeship providers and social settings, all dedicated to offering valuable guidance and information to the young people in attendance.

Bringing careers to life

The Careers Hub also partnered with Macro staff employed on the council’s facilities management contract to showcase to students the people and the jobs that keep Woodhatch Place a safe, welcoming and accessible working environment.

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport, and Economic Growth, attended the event to meet with students and exhibitors. He shared his positive reflections:

 “The Transitions Fair is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that every young person in Surrey, regardless of their educational needs, has access to the resources and support they need to succeed, with no one left behind. It was inspiring to see so many young people engaging with the exhibitors and exploring the range of options for their future.”

Clare Curran, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning said: “This Transitions Fair, and the work of the Surrey Careers Hub in general, is so important in helping to ensure Surrey children and young people with additional needs and disabilities are informed about the range of opportunities available for them as they head towards adulthood. I’m sure those attending left feeling inspired about their futures.” 

A teacher who attended said: “The fair was well organised, quieter and catered well to the needs of our students. The short film [about Macro staff] was brilliant and extremely engaging. All my students loved it and felt a sense of empowerment that they too can go and work for Surrey County Council in all different departments.”

Students were highly engaged and appreciated the opportunity to meet exhibitors. One commented: “Orpheus has amazing music program, flats on campus and help with getting houses once you’ve left. Sounds amazing.”

While another said:“I loved talking to the ‘Project Radio’ people and this is something where I can see myself going.”

About Surrey Careers Hub

The Surrey Careers Hub plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between education and employment, ensuring that all young people, including those with additional needs and disabilities, have the opportunity to find their best next step. The Careers Hub ethos is that every young person deserves the best possible start to their adult life: to choose their own path and fulfil their potential.

The Careers Hub sits within Surrey County Council’s Economy and Growth Team. In partnership with The Careers and Enterprise Company, the Careers Hub works with Careers Leaders, educators, employers and training providers to inspire and prepare young people in education with modern, 21^st century careers education.

Exhibitors in attendance:

• Activate Learning
• Ambitious College
• Choice Care Group
• Consensus Support
• County Care
• Dramatize
• Early Years Workforce Development
• Eurovia
• Family Information Service
• Jigsaw Plus
• Linkable
• Macro
• My Employment Passport
• Naturally Talented Me
• Nescot
• NHS
• Orchard Hill College
• Post19
• Ringway
• SEND Advice Surrey
• SMP Alliance
• Surrey Choices
• The Orpheus Centre

MTEK Solutions, a local business co-owned by experienced electricians Michael Slatcher and Kieran Tuck, has taken full advantage of Skills Bootcamps, to enhance their expertise and meet the growing demand for sustainable electrical solutions. It’s already paying off.

• Verification, Inspection, and Testing
• Solar Panel Installation and Battery Storage Training
• Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Training

Working across commercial, industrial and residential, this training has helped position them as local leaders in green technology and to future-proof their business. 

Thanks to the Green Electrical Skills Bootcamps delivered by training provider MITSkills, MTeK Solutions has secured new work in solar and battery storage.

It is also opening doors to opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have had access to. They are now bidding for contracts worth three times the value of their biggest job to date. This is a direct result of the training they’ve undertaken. 

Michael and Kieran have a clear message for businesses hesitant to commit the time to Skills Bootcamps: 

“Skills Bootcamps are a great way to upskill and boost your earnings – they help add another string to your bow. You have to look beyond today. Investing the time to complete the training has opened doors to much greater opportunities than if we had kept putting things off.“

Meeting the growing demand for sustainable electrical solutions

Their commitment doesn’t stop with their own learning. Michael and Kieran actively invest in the future of the electrical sector by employing Surrey residents as apprentices.

Working closely with MITSkills, they’ve been able to recruit exceptional apprentices who are benefiting from their hands-on guidance and supportive leadership. 

Steve Farrow, Head of Business Development for MITSkills said, “The Green Electrical Skills Bootcamp has allowed MTeK Solutions to increase their offer to local people, while providing opportunities for the company to meet their expansion through the provision of electrical apprenticeships.” 

He added, “We are proud to provide electricians with the skills that enable them to support a “Greener Surrey” and reduce carbonisation.”

Michael and Kieran’s dedication to professional growth and creating opportunities for local people highlights the real-world benefits of Skills Bootcamps – helping businesses thrive, supporting the community, and unlocking exciting new sales opportunities. 

Skills Bootcamps for businesses

Skills Bootcamps can be used by local businesses to upskill current employees at a discounted rate.
Large employers are contributing 30% of the cost while small or medium employers (SMEs) are paying 10%.

There is no cost to a business recruiting someone who has recently completed a Skills Bootcamp.
For more information about Skills Bootcamps, visit Skills Bootcamps – Surrey County Council

Support for Surrey businesses

Not quite the right fit for your business? Speak to our team of experts who can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.

You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.

In today’s changing business landscape, sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern, it is a core strategy for long-term success.

With increasing regulatory requirements, consumer demand for ethical practices, and the impacts of climate change, businesses are rethinking their approaches to growth and operations. In Surrey, the focus on sustainability has never been greater, and equipping the workforce with the right skills has become a pressing priority.

This is where Surrey County Council’s Sustainability and Carbon Management Skills Bootcamp, delivered by Activate Learning, plays a pivotal role. By fostering local talent and providing essential sustainability training, this initiative is bridging the gap between business needs and workforce readiness.

Why sustainability skills matter

Sustainability isn’t just about environmental stewardship; it is a business imperative that drives innovation, enhances reputation, and improves financial performance. A significant majority of executives recognise the importance of sustainability but many feel their organisations are not adequately prepared to address it*.

Key sustainability competencies for businesses include:

• Carbon management: understanding and reducing carbon footprints to meet net-zero targets
• Circular economy principles: designing processes to reduce waste and promote recycling
• Sustainability reporting: communicating progress transparently to stakeholders
• Regulatory compliance: navigating an increasingly complex legal landscape.

These skills not only help companies meet their environmental goals but also position them as leaders in a competitive market where sustainability is a key differentiator.

Skills Bootcamp’s role in developing local talent and supporting Surrey businesses

Offering a flexible and blended course has enabled those learners already employed to apply their learning quicker, through the development of bespoke sustainability action plans for their organisations.  The real-world expertise from industry leaders, including organisations such as Oxfordshire Greentech and Siemens Healthineers, combined with networking and career support from Activate Learning, has boosted the learners’ confidence and employability.

For businesses in Surrey, the Skills Bootcamps offer numerous benefits:

• Access to skilled talent: With a growing pool of trained professionals, companies can find the expertise they need locally, reducing the costs and time associated with recruitment
• Enhanced competitiveness: In this case, sustainability-trained employees drive innovation and efficiency, giving businesses a competitive edge
• Community impact: By investing in local talent, businesses strengthen Surrey’s economy and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Albury Vineyard, located in the Surrey Hills, recently hosted the graduation for learners of the first Sustainability Skills Bootcamp.  Nick Wenman, owner of Albury Vineyard, said 

“Skills Bootcamps are really great because what they mean is we are not just hiring people with theoretical knowledge – it’s people with real understanding of what that means in a business environment”.

A brighter, greener future for Surrey

As sustainability becomes integral to business success, courses like this Skills Bootcamp are vital for preparing the workforce and supporting local businesses. By developing the skills needed to tackle environmental challenges, Surrey is not only meeting the demands of today but also securing a resilient and prosperous future.

Whether you’re a business looking to strengthen your sustainability efforts or an individual eager to make an impact, find out more about Skills Bootcamps. 

Also remember to check-out our Business Surrey events page, which features a number of sustainability-related events.

Support for Surrey businesses

Our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.

You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.

_{*Reference: Deloitte’s 2024 CxO Sustainability Report, which surveyed over 2,100 executives across 27 countries.}

During the month of December, a number of Runnymede-based businesses generously opened their doors and gave their time to groups of secondary school students as part of Runnymede Open Doors programme.

The Open Doors programme allows students to engage with local employers at their workplaces, offering insights into the types of roles available and the different entry paths into the business or industry sector. Open Doors visits provide young people with a valuable chance to explore potential career paths in different industries, learn about the skills employers are looking for, and enhance their own employability skills.

Runnymede Borough Council, Business Runnymede and Surrey Careers Hub worked in partnership to design and deliver the Runnymede Open Doors programme in 2024-2025, supported by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The program kicked off in earnest in November with approximately 180 young people from six secondary schools taking part in 15 experiences at 7 business locations across Runnymede. More experiences are planned over January and February 2025.  

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth said: “We are delighted to be able to run Open Doors in Runnymede to enable young people to gain first-hand experience of differing workplaces and have genuine conversations with local employers.

“Programmes of this type, investing in the workforce of tomorrow, are vital in ensuring the long-term success of our regional economy, and we appreciate the time and energy the participating businesses have invested into the success of the scheme.”

A total of 10 Runnymede businesses have signed up for the scheme, offering to give their time and support to the programme by hosting students at their premises. Each business devised their own unique itinerary to help the students experience a little of what it would be like to work there and hear more about the career pathways available.  At Avery Healthcare the students met several of the home’s residents, toured the premises and watched an exciting match of Balloon Tennis. They also had the opportunity to ask staff and residents for their own views.

Groups of students who visited Kick-X were first able to let off a bit of steam and understand the customer experience by trying out the various hybrid football facilities at the venue. They then took part in an interactive workshop where they brainstormed solutions to real-life challenges and opportunities faced by the business – offering some unique perspectives the business may otherwise not have heard.

The experience was a great success, as this teacher remarked, “We all absolutely enjoyed today’s visit to Kick X. Max has been fantastic. The session was very well planned, delivered. Max was enthusiastic, well-spoken and captured the student’s attention. He talked about the business, jobs, skills and values in a very exciting way and the students have got a lot from the session. They not only enjoyed the practical part but also the theory where they were taking part in some business ideas, offering advice and creativity. All our learning objectives were met thanks to Max. We are very grateful for this valuable opportunity.”

The young people visiting Thorpe Park were tested on their knowledge of the theme park’s history and heard the career stories of several key members of staff before undertaking an eye-opening behind-the-scenes tour of the park. 

Almost every student who completed an evaluation form responded that the visit had helped them to understand more about the jobs and careers available with that employer, and 100% said they’d like to attend more employer visits in the future.

The program will run until the end of March 2025 with planning underway for Open Day experiences for college students in the borough still to take place.   

Participating schools and businesses:

Businesses

• Thorpe Park
• Avery Healthcare
• Kick-X Football Arena
• Geek Retreat
• Stanhope-Seta
• Snap Fitness
• Achieve Lifestyle
• Egham Orbit
• Chop & Change Hair Salon
• Page Personnel

Schools

• Chertsey High School
• Phillip Southcote School
• Magna Carta School
• Walton-Leigh School
• Jubilee High School
• Fullbrook School

Play your part

There are lots of ways Surrey businesses can support Surrey’s future workforce.

• Want to support the work of the Surrey Careers Hub? We’re looking for professionals from all sectors and business of all sizes to work with Careers Leaders and Education Leaders as Enterprise Advisers to shape their careers education strategies. Get in touch via our contact us form for further details.
• Sign up to the Business Surrey newsletter for updates around workforce development.