Students from 17 secondary schools tried out an array of careers at Thanet Skills Fest, organised by Kent Education Business Partnership. The major careers event involved 80 companies, including Denne (part of the Leadbitter Group), providing students with a valuable opportunity to get hands-on in a variety of roles, from plumbing to land management and to find out which career might best suit them.  

Anne McNulty, whose Education Business Partnership team organised the event, said: “The businesses who gave up their time to support all these young people did a magnificent job.  The activities that they provided really engaged the students, and the feedback from the schools has been fantastic.”

The construction sector was particularly well represented, reflecting the high level of building work currently being undertaken at schools in Thanet.  Denne was supported by Clague, the architectural practice involved in its Building Schools for the Future project at Charles Dickens School, Broadstairs.  Other companies in its supply chain who took part included PA Grant Electrical, NRG Plumbing and British Gypsum.  

Nicholas Fowler, Denne’s Business Improvement Manager, said: “At Denne we participate in many different projects with young people in Thanet. We are working on two Building Schools for the Future projects in the area, King Ethelbert at Birchington, as well as Charles Dickens School and, as such, facilitate several work experience projects for secondary school students.

“We also work with all age groups from primary up to graduate level, as part of our commitment to help young people experience what a career in the construction industry could be like. Denne, and the whole Leadbitter Group, firmly believe that by engaging young people now, we are laying the foundations for supporting the growth of future talent in the construction industry.”