Skills Northern Ireland is your chance to explore future skills and get work ready. Whether you know what you want to do when you leave school, or if you are still looking for inspiration, you'll find exciting opportunities at Skills NI! Points to present to your students: Skills Northern Ireland offers students a chance to try new skills, discover careers, meet employers and get inspired through interactive and hands-on demonstrations. All of our exhibitor stands are designed for students to get a taster of what careers are available in order to help them decide what they’d like to do, whilst informing them of the best routes to take whether that is continuing to further education or undertaking an apprenticeships. Recommended exercise:  Using the group workbook ask your student to think about what they like doing outside of school, what they are inspired by. Ask them to write down their hobbies on one side of the table and their favourite subjects on the other side. Ask them to think of a job that might require skills from both areas. With this in mind, ask them to think of questions they would want to ask someone in that industry, in order to learn more about the area or job. Examples Do you like sport and you're good at English? Perhaps you could be a Sports Journalist. Maybe you like sport and enjoy biology. Perhaps you could be a Physiotherapist.  Are you good at maths but really enjoy art? Perhaps you could be an Architect or Graphic Designer.  

What is a visit to Skills Northern Ireland like? Recommended exercise: Ask your students to play close attention to the Skills Northern Ireland video as there’ll be questions at the end. After watching the video ask them to write down five things they noticed in the video that either inspired or interested them and ask them why? Discuss.

What are your options? What are your options post 16? Will you stay in education at sixth form or college? Will you look for an apprenticeship or a traineeship? You could also think about starting your own business or volunteering alongside your studies? What are your options post 18? Will you pursue an apprenticeship or a traineeship? Will you study a work-related course or move into higher education? Will you apply for a job? Recommended exercise: Ask your students to think about the route they may need to take in order to achieve their dream career. Talk to them about the various options open to them and encourage them to visit the Careers Service website https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/careers to find out more about their options.

Who will I meet? Future Employers Colleges and Universities Careers Advisors Training Providers Points to present to your students: Future employers will be there! You can learn how they recruit and train staff, about apprenticeships, courses, training providers, how you can learn on the job and what qualifications you need to achieve your goals. Recommended exercise: Ask your students to have a look at the exhibitors on the Skills Northern Ireland website and think about who they want to meet. When they get to the event there will be an event guide and floorplan so they can easily find the organisations they want to meet. Visit prospectsevents.co.uk/our-events/skills-northern-ireland/northern-ireland-2018 to find out who will be at the event

How should I prepare? Visit the website to see what/who you would be interested in seeing Think of some questions you want to ask exhibitors before you arrive Follow us @Skills_NI on Facebook/Twitter/ Instagram to get involved in some pre-event activities! Do the careers quiz with the Careers Service NI Recommended exercise for your students to do in their lessons or at home is the Careers Service NI careers match quiz. Please follow the link: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/career-ideas-14-19-year-olds Cards will be sent to you with information about the quiz so that your students can take part during school hours or take them home. Please find a list of recommended questions for your students to ask the exhibitors they are interested in seeing: What does your company do? What careers do you offer? What qualifications do I need? What training is available? Where could I be in 5 years time? How much could I earn? Where do I find out more?

Event features not to be missed: The Careers Hub gives you the chance to have one-to-one advice from the experts.  Apprenticeship Ambassador Hub will let you speak to current apprentices about their career journey The Skills Theatre showcases local talent and can include dance, drama, music, cookery, hairdressing and floristry The Get Skilled stands offers you knowledge about key industries. Discover new talents and try loads of different skills The Live News Board aims to provide you with the chance to find out about current vacancies available in Northern Ireland

Follow us! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get involved in some pre-event activities, including competitions and to keep updated with the exciting employers and organisations booking in #SkillsNI #CareerGoals #FutureSkills #GetWorkReady @Skills_NI SkillsNorthernIreland @Skills_NI