Thousands of young people converged on Trinity Park in Ipswich today for the fourth Suffolk Skills Show.

%image(15367414, type="article-full", alt="Bricklaying was among the "have a go" skills students were able to try out at the Suffolk Skills Show. Picture: Keith Mindham")

The annual showcase, designed to highlight the range of careers and training opportunities available in the county, is the largest employer-led event if its kind in Suffolk and this year attracted 110 exhibitors.

More than 4,600 students were pre-booked to attend the event, including parties from 41 different schools and some individuals, and, with the event this year also being open to the public, the total is expected to have reached around 5,000.

Dayle Bayliss of construction consultancy Dayle Bayliss Associates from Bentley, near Ipswich, who is chair of the Suffolk Skills Show Steering Group, said: “The show is busy and lively, and everyone is very enthusiastic. It is really about the diversity of careers available in Suffolk and promoting understanding of the world of work.

%image(15367415, type="article-full", alt="Students at the 2017 Suffolk Skills Show. Picture: Keith Mindham")

“There has been more interest than ever in the show this year. We are now in our fourth year and the show has become well established in the school calendar. The full range of opportunities is represented here, including apprenticeships and university and college courses.”

Michelle Pollard, owner of Ipswich web recruitment company Spider and vice-chair of the steering group, said: “This is about inspiring a generation of kids for the next five to 10 years, so that they know just how much there is out there for them. Next year we hope to get parents more involved.”

Dayle Bayliss added: “Organising the show is a year-round job. The group meets after every show and immediately starts discussing what we can do better and to improve the show next time.”

%image(15367418, type="article-full", alt="Students at the stand of online careers platform icanbea at the 2017 Suffolk Skills Show. Picture: Keith Mindham")

This year’s show included a new “Job Hunter” element, enabling visitors looking for employment to identify exhibitors currently recruiting and offering help with CVs at a Careers and Information Zone sponsored by MyGo.

The skills show is supported by Suffolk County Council, with Easton & Otley College again being the main sponsor this year.

Clare Dyble, director of marketing and student admissions at the college, said: “I am passionate about showing young people the opportunities available to them and we are delighted to be supporting the event.”

%image(15367419, type="article-full", alt="Glen Bunting of EDF Energy who secured an apprenticeship following a previous Suffolk Skills Show and was on the company's stand at this year's event. Picture: Keith Mindham")

%image(15367420, type="article-full", alt="Students visiting the outdoor military display at the Suffolk Skills Show. Picture: Keith Mindham")

%image(15367421, type="article-full", alt="The Army was among the exhibitors at the 2017 Suffolk Skills Show. Picture: Keith Mindham")

%image(15367422, type="article-full", alt="Students at the 2917 Suffolk Skills Show at Trinity Park, Ipswich. Picture: Keith Mindham")