***Dr Nikos Savvas DL talks STEM careers at the Future of Work Conference***

Business leaders and industry joined forces and ran a free event aimed at promoting careers in design, engineering, innovation and manufacturing to young people in Bury St Edmunds.

***Will Stirling - organiser of the Future of Work Conference held in conjunction with Eastern Education Group***

The occasion was hosted by the Eastern Education Group and took place at the University & Professional Development Centre based on Western Way in Bury St Edmunds.

***Emma Anine, 13, a student from Kings Lynn, said: “I wanted to see what opportunities there are in manufacturing. I got some new insight into the aviation sector. I found it really interesting.”***

The day was primarily for parents, students, teachers and careers advisors - and around 260 guests attended from 12 schools, colleges and organisations based in Norfolk and Suffolk.

A host of high-profile guests from companies like Lotus Cars talked about accelerating interest in high-tech manufacturing roles.

They were joined by representatives from other big hitters from firms such as British Sugar, Sizewell C, Swift Technology Group and Warren Services.

The conference was created by Future of Work, an organisation formed in 2024 to produce events like this across the country.

One of the organiser’s, from Future of Work, Will Stirling opened proceedings. He said: “We created this conference to connect young people and those working in education to high-tech companies who have high flying job opportunities.”

Will then introduced Dr Nikos Savvas DL – the CEO of Eastern Education Group (EEG) – who welcomed all speakers and visitors and said - ‘the reason we exist is to give you a better future’.

Group principal, from the University and Professional Development at EEG, Laraine Moody said: "We were delighted to be able to host this 'Future of Work' event that shone a light on the exciting opportunities that are available in the manufacturing, engineering and associated industries. Bringing industry, education and young people together at our state of the art multi-million-pound University and Professional Development Centre, this occasion explained how technology and AI is progressing at such a rate that it has created a high demand for new talent to enter these professions. Our panel of high-profile speakers showcased the amazing career opportunities that are available to young people, and we were grateful to everyone who came along to support this event.”

Dr Jean Debney, lead teacher in engineering, hospitality and catering at Fakenham High School, explained why she attended. She said: “We brought 31 students along as I believe in getting young people into engineering - and I was also keen to show companies the talent that we have at our school.”

Mike McLean, business development manager at Swift Technology Group was a guest speaker. Mike said: “It was important to attend as young people are our future employees. My advice (to young people) is to go for a job you want to do - as if you do the job you love, you will never work a day in your life.”

Julia Nix, district manager for Job Centre Plus across East Anglia attended from the world of business. Julia said: “We came along to understand what employers are going to be looking for in the future, particularly in that technology space.”

Cody Goodley, 13, from Kings Lynn, said: “I was intrigued by robotics and how things are manufactured. I found it (the event) impressive. This has made me think I might now want to work in STEM or manufacturing.”

High Sheriff of Suffolk Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason OBE, and CEO of manufacturing company SafeSTS, helped bring the event together. Yvonne said: “It’s hugely important to show young people what is out there in the world of work - and the innovations that are happening that are so exciting.”

Will Bridgman is the managing director of Warren Services, a contract manufacturer. Will was a guest speaker and said: “These young people can do anything, and we want to try and encourage them to consider manufacturing.”

At the end of the event, guests were invited to take a tour of a new Extended Reality (XR) Lab that is housed on Western Way in Bury St Edmunds.

The next Future of Work conference takes place at the University of Warwick on Monday 14 October, from 5pm. Further events in 2024 can be found here: www.futureofworkuk.com