START planning for the future now.

That was the message to teenagers attending a careers fair at the Cowley Mini plant.

More than 2,000 students from schools in and around the city were invited to attend the two-day Careers Fest yesterday and on Tuesday, to learn more about their options after school.

Forty employers and training providers were on hand to speak to pupils about further education, apprenticeships and job opportunities.

The event, organised by Oxford City Learning, brought together a college, secondary schools, academies and special schools.

Andy Thomas, head of engineering at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, was running a motor-racing simulator, and talking to young people about their plans as they queued up to take part.

He said: “It was absolutely non-stop.

“People wanted to know about the course, its entry requirements, and the possibility of employment at the end of it.

“Our links with employers are fantastic. BMW sends its apprentices to us, for example, and that is one of the reasons people are interested.”

Thirteen-year-old Jamie Cummins, a pupil at Oxford Spires Academy, was among those getting behind the wheel of the simulator.

He said: “It was fun. But I haven’t decided what I want to do yet.”

Staff from Leadbitter Construction gave children the chance to build bird boxes.

Project manager Les Cross said: “If youngsters can see how nice it is to produce something with their own hands, it might encourage them to take up a career in construction.”

Among those having a go was Kady Maloney, 13, from Blackbird Leys, Oxford. The Oxford Spires Academy pupil said: “I don’t know what I want to do, but I am keeping my opportunities open to see if I can find something I like.”

Oxford City Learning’s project director Alison Robb-Webb said: “It’s important that our students get high quality and wide-ranging information, advice and guidance, and an event like this can deliver that.

“It is about widening horizons so they can take ownership and be informed.”

“The traditional A-Levels route is relatively well understood, so what we are trying to do is show there are other routes into employment.”

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk

Training for a Mini career

THE fair took place as Mini announced plans to double the number of apprenticeships being offered at its three production sites, with 35 places available at Cowley.

Apprenticeships last between three and four years and cover everything from human resources to electrical maintenance. Mini spokesman Rebecca Baxter said: “Last year we had literally hundreds of applications for places, and I would expect to see the same level of interest this year.

“Competition is quite fierce but we obviously want to attract the best apprentices.”