15/05/2023 - Employability Day to showcase career opportunities for young people in Luton

The event provides an opportunity for those aged 10-19 to engage with employers and learn about career paths that are available to them. The event is open to all, with a focus on professional role models from the Black community. They will share their experiences to help all attendees to identify stepping stones for their future success. 

Over 30 employers and local organisations will be in attendance, with a themed workshop hosted by Brunel University and a panel of experts for responding to all questions from the young people in attendance. Attendees also have the chance to discover what private, public and third sector firms can offer.

Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE, Leader of Luton Council, said "Following the success of last year’s Employability Day, we are thrilled to be working with our community to support its return in 2023. The event showcases the opportunities available, as well as role models from our Black community. It also ties in perfectly with our Luton 2040 vision of a town built on fairness, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and no-one has to live in poverty."

"Inspiring young people to identify meaningful and rewarding career options can help them to be more confident about the pathways they choose and in turn can help boost Luton's employment market and benefit the local economy."

Luton Council’s support for the Luton Employability Day reinforces its commitment to tackling structural inequality, which was at the heart of the Black Lives Matter motion it passed in January 2021. As part of its commitment to create a town built on fairness, the council is supporting events that seek to overcome structural barriers often faced by those from the Black community when accessing the job market.

Dr Dwain Neil OBE, chairman of the Reach Society, said: “This is an essential event for all those aged 10-19 in Luton. With such a wide range of local role models and employers from the private, public and voluntary sectors in attendance, there will be something for everyone. If you are unsure which pathway is best for you, how to make the next step or have any questions relating to the future, this event will be the place to make useful discoveries.”

Reach Society was founded as a social enterprise in 2010 to encourage, motivate and inspire young people, especially those from the Black community, to raise their educational attainment through increased contact with diverse role models and employers in several sectors.

The event takes place Tuesday May 30 2023 between 10.30 am and 3.30pm at the Chiltern Academy, Gypsy Lane.

Admission is free, but attendees must register in advance. Under 16s must attend with a responsible adult. For more details and to register visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/luton-employability-day-tickets-529290009667.