WCIT MONITOR Issue 62 May 2014 | Page 13

Information Technologists’ Company EDUCATION Livery Showcase Event London Students Get a Taste of the City’s Skills, Trades and Professions A n audience of over 400 students from across London were enthralled by an exciting mix of career opportunities at Apothecaries’ Hall for the second Livery Showcase Event organised by Livery Schools Link on 18th March. Trades, skills and professions were demonstrated by over thirty Livery Companies, to students of all interests and abilities who are in the process of choosing their GCSE options. Aiming to engage students with the important role that Livery Companies play in supporting recruitment into the world of work, this event particularly appeals to students because it opens their minds to career possibilities that they might not otherwise consider. Students flocked around the interactive stalls and enjoyed the benefits of a smaller than average careers event, to spend time chatting to the stallholders, who were all enthusiastic ambassadors for their trades and professions. WCIT members with Cyber Champions and students The strategically situated WCIT stand proved immensely popular, as students clamoured to see four Raspberry Pi computers in action and to learn about the importance of safe surfing from the Cyber Champions (www.cyberchampions.org) a UK wide not-for-profit organisation driven by young “role model” professional volunteers and led by WCIT Freeman Anu Khurmi. E-Skills UK, represented by WCIT Liveryman Howard Skidmore, were also on the stand persuading schools to sign up to their excellent Secure Futures programme (www.e-skills.com) aimed at attracting young people into the Cyber Security profession. Many Livery Companies support educational programmes in schools through the likes of mentoring, financial literacy programmes, healthy eating and history projects. Schools are encouraged to develop closer links with the Livery movement through Livery Schools Link, on whose management committee WCIT is an active participant, and an important Education Conference for Livery Companies and Secondary head teachers, to be opened by the Lord Mayor, will take place on 26th June this year at Staple Inn, London. Contributed by WCIT Court Liveryman Dr Phil Jones and WCIT Freeman Anu Khurmi The WCIT stand with demonstrations of the Rasberry Pi to students Page 13