Sascha Lewis , project manager , DRPG , says the industry needs to showcase the benefits of being an eventprof

’ ve been asked many times whether I would recommend the apprenticeship approach to starting out in the industry , versus university . I was lucky enough to do an apprenticeship and start working immediately after A-Levels . This was , for me , the best route into the events world because I knew it was a very hands-on career path and I wanted to get stuck in from the get-go . However , university was the choice of many of my peers who are equally as content and achieving great successes .

The bigger question I ’ ve found myself asking in recent years though , is not how people get into the industry , but why people should join the industry . It seems the wider appeal of events as a viable career during the crucial school-leaving age has been lost over the past few years .

This type of workforce gap can have a detrimental impact , ( as we have already seen post-pandemic ). The uncertainty surrounding the pandemic led to panic . Many event professionals explored other avenues and found alternative careers , some temporary but many

“ Collectively , we need to be louder in our pride for the industry and get the message in front of the next generation who aren ’ t aware of all the benefits and opportunities .”

permanently , which had a huge effect on those who remained .

The most interesting shift for me is not the peers who have since left the industry , but the downturn in entry-level professionals joining the industry due to the nervousness around job security . This surprises me because , without underestimating the work and skills required , it is essentially one of the easiest industries to get your foot in

the door with if you are a talented and driven individual .

What makes us special ? Personally , I wouldn ’ t work in another industry because events offer something for everyone , and everyone has a part to play . From the emphasis on sustainability and protecting the environment to the digital and technical innovations taking place to enhance experiences , there really is no end to what the industry can offer to someone ’ s career .

There is no special criteria to fit into either , in fact , this industry actively encourages you to break the mould . It ’ s in our delivery too , look at the spotlight on inclusivity and audience equity that ’ s taking place right now for example .

As an industry that is heavily people focused , I ’ d like to think that we ’ re leading the way when it comes to accurate representation and accommodating different accessibility needs . AI has nothing on our ability to put an audience ’ s experience first .

Collectively , we need to be louder in our pride for the industry and get the message in front of the next generation who aren ’ t aware of all the benefits and opportunities . I ’ m keen to re-establish the events sector as a fresh , exciting , reliable and totally feasible career with plenty of prospects for young people from any background . CN