Barnsley Academy Careers Fair

The Barnsley Academy Careers Fair ran from 10:30am to 3:30pm on 9 July 2026 and was attended by over 300 students from Year 7 to Year 10, in rotating groups throughout the day.
Attending the event and representing the Ƶ Education Workstream for the Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Network provided me with the opportunity to deliver an interactive engagement session with the students. This included:
- Explaining what project management is in simple, relatable terms
- Discussing different sectors and types of projects (e.g. infrastructure, transport)
- Outlining roles within a project team and key responsibilities
- Answering questions around entry routes into the profession and “a day in the life” of a project manage
Students also asked about my own role and what I do on a day-to-day basis, which provided an opportunity to share practical insights into working as a project professional. Drawing from the Project: You, A student guide to project management, I discussed key skills required in project management, different roles within a project team, and the range of sectors and projects individuals can work across.
- Student engagement was very positive. There was a mix of awareness levels:
- Some students had no prior knowledge of the profession
- Others had some awareness, including a few whose parents are project managers
- One student showed particular interest in transport and railway projects
The sessions were interactive, with students sharing their own understanding of projects, which allowed for discussion and clarification in a relatable way.
Ƶ promotional materials were distributed and were well received by the students.
The event also included a range of other organisations such as Barnsley Sixth Form College, Barnardo’s, Barnsley Community Trust, Willmott Dixon, Doncaster Equine College, National Horseracing College and others, making it a well-rounded careers event.
Overall, the engagement was successful, with strong student participation and interest in the project profession.
Stephen Granville
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