Careers Convention Brings Together Students, Families and Employers at Ulster University

Students, parents and school leavers from across the Causeway Coast and Glens gathered at Ulster University's Coleraine campus on Thursday evening for the annual Careers Convention, an event designed to help young people explore their future education, training and career opportunities.

Organised by Enterprise Causeway and the Coleraine Area Learning Partnership (CALP), in partnership with Ulster University and the Honourable Irish Society, the convention welcomed a wide range of employers, universities, colleges, apprenticeship providers and career specialists from across Northern Ireland.

Exploring Future Opportunities

The exhibition floor was filled with organisations representing a diverse range of sectors, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, engineering, education, legal services and public service.

Exhibitors included the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Chartered Accountants Ireland, Almac, Danske Bank, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Turley Legal and Riada Resourcing, alongside specialists in biomedical science, dental nursing and counselling.

Representatives from the Army, Royal Navy and RAF were also on hand to discuss career pathways and opportunities within the armed forces, while Northern Regional College and North West Regional College provided information on further and higher education programmes, apprenticeships and vocational training.

A particular highlight of the evening was the Dedicated Allied Health Careers Hall, which proved hugely popular with attendees. The dedicated space brought together professionals and educational representatives from a range of allied health fields, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography, speech and language therapy, dietetics, nursing, paramedic science and podiatry, giving students valuable insight into career pathways and training opportunities within the healthcare sector.

Supporting Informed Career Choices

The Careers Convention offered attendees the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with employers and education providers, helping them gain valuable insight into potential career paths, qualifications and skills required for future success.

The event also highlighted the important role families play in career decision-making, with parents actively engaging with exhibitors and exploring how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are influencing careers across a range of industries.

Jayne Taggart, Chief Executive of Enterprise Causeway, said:

"The Careers Convention is designed to give school leavers access to the widest possible range of information and opportunities in one place. By bringing together employers, education providers and career specialists, students can explore different pathways, ask questions and make informed decisions about their future.

We are delighted to see continued growth in both attendance and exhibitor participation, reflecting the value of the event to young people and families across the region."

Connecting Education and Industry

The strong turnout from students, parents and exhibitors demonstrated the growing importance of the Careers Convention as a platform for connecting education, industry and the wider community.

The event provided valuable opportunities for networking, career exploration and informed decision-making, helping attendees gain a clearer understanding of the pathways available after school and the skills needed for the future workplace.

Through collaboration between Enterprise Causeway, CALP, Ulster University and the Honourable Irish Society, the event continues to support young people as they navigate their next steps and discover the opportunities available to them across a wide range of sectors.

To find out more about upcoming events, visit Enterprise Causeway website.