STROUD Ambitions hailed as a great success by visitors and participants, 1,000 children attended the careers event at Stratford Park.

On Wednesday, November 9, children aged 13-14 from seven local schools attended hands-on careers workshops, the sessions were intended to help them think about their future careers and make informed choices about the GCSEs they choose.

A wide range of employment sectors were represented including construction, hairdressing and beauty, the armed forces and engineering.

Kaytlan Coates, 13, who attended with fellow pupils from Rednock School in Dursley said: “Ambitions really helped me think about possible careers and how to potentially find work within these sectors.

“The talks were interesting and helpful and the staff on the stands made each session engaging and insightful.”

The daytime exhibitors were joined by more businesses as well as universities, colleges and careers advisors for an evening careers event which was attended by almost 600 people.

Cllr Steve Lydon, leader of Stroud District Council, said: “We’re grateful to our event sponsors which included South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, and to all the organisations that attended for giving up so much of their time to provide such a positive experience for the pupils and adult job seekers.”

Stroud Ambitions is the district’s biggest careers event, and is organised by the district council and South Gloucestershire & Stroud College.

NKS Building Contracts (Central) Ltd has attended all four Ambitions events, Nick Lacey, area operations manager said: “We are aware of a looming skills shortage within the building sector, so Ambitions is a great way of working with our partners at South Gloucestershire College to showcase the local opportunities available with in the construction industry.”