Ignite goes digital for OxLEP's Careers Fair this week

Are you a school or college student looking to Find Your Future?  

If yes, then look no further than OxLEP’s Online Careers Platform for young people, schools, colleges and parents and carers that will go live on Thursday, March 25.  

Under one virtual roof, you will be able to source inspiration and access information about the different career paths and learning opportunities available in Oxfordshire. One hundred virtual pods representing local and national businesses plus higher education and further education opportunities will be available to students for a full year. 

In ordinary times, OxLEP’s Find Your Future Careers Fair is an opportunity for Ignite Sport UK to engage with young people wishing to pursue a career in sport via our educational programmes, apprenticeship vacancies and free online coaching resources.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s fair will be delivered digitally. Our team have developed a free-to-access package that will be available on OxLEP’s Careers Fair online portal. It will provide young people with essential information about the services we provide in the sport and education sectors.  

“Everyone is different – some may know what they want from their future while others might wish to explore the options available to them beyond higher education,” said Hannah Bladen, General Manager of Ignite Sport UK.  

“That’s the beauty of OxLEP’s Careers Fair, it brings together companies from all sectors so young people can leave feeling inspired by the career opportunities in our county.  

“Through our professional training and education programmes we can help young people reach their full potential through on-the-job training, face-to-face learning and online e-portfolios.” 

Based at Oxford City FC, we are a registered training provider for sport and education qualifications, working in further education, apprenticeships, and adult education.  

In addition to our sports-based apprenticeships, we also run Velocity Football – a full-time educational academy for 16- to 23-year-olds that combines football with gaining a Level 3 BTEC Sport qualification. The programme provides an excellent platform for a career in football or the wider sport and leisure industry.  

Further information about Velocity Football’s BTEC, HNC, HND and BSC Hons courses will be available at next week’s Careers Fair.  

“We offer young people interested in sport a variety of platforms to help ignite their future career in a way that suits them,” added Hannah.  

“That might be via paid apprenticeships that provide valuable on-the-job training or through Velocity Football’s syllabus that covers a range of sectors within sport and helps facilitate work experience opportunities in the local community.

“We look forward to meeting as many people – digitally – as possible!” 

OxLEP’s Careers Fair will be available to view via Find Your Future | OxLEP (oxfordshirelep.com) from March 25. Further information is also available through skills@oxfordshirelep.com.