Winchester’s Peter Symonds College has held its annual Progression Fair, sponsored by The Symondians’ Association which is made up of college alumni, and the University of Winchester.

The event was aimed at current students showcasing a diverse array of different career and education options after college and beyond.

Over 90 employers, higher education institutions and organisations exhibited at the largest event of its kind to be held at the college. Students were offered information and advice on the wide variety of training, educational and career opportunities available to them, ranging from degrees, higher and degree apprenticeships, training courses, studying abroad and other useful practical information.

Peter Symonds also welcomed pupils from local schools to come and benefit from the fair, in the hope of getting students to contemplate their eventual careers before they choose their relevant A-Levels.

Many top universities and international organisations exhibited including Durham University and Price Waterhouse Coopers. The fair also hosted smaller local companies offering excellent training opportunities.

Hannah Sturgess, who is currently completing a three year degree apprenticeship at Marketing Sciences Limited in Winchester said “It’s brilliant, you get to benefit from three years of work experience, obtain a degree with little to no debt and a job once you've finished. I can’t recommend a degree apprenticeship highly enough”.

The Head of Careers at Peter Symonds Debbie Mahoney said:, “We’re extremely proud to be hosting our biggest fair yet this year, with so many exhibitors keen to impart their knowledge and enthusiasm to our students. Nine out of the top ten degree and higher apprenticeship employers are here today which is an excellent turn-out, and we have every one of Symonds top 15 higher education destinations exhibiting here too.”

NATs, one of the larger organisations exhibiting, is keen to source some of their new talent from Peter Symonds specifically. Vicky Newhouse, NATs Careers and Outreach Manager, said: “NATs recognises that Symonds produces excellent quality students, so we want to provide them with opportunities to work within our exciting and rewarding environment.”

From March 13, Peter Symonds will be holding a Careers Week, which will involve a varied daily programme for students including speakers from a huge range of courses and careers from dentistry, journalism and oceanography, to civil engineering, the Royal Navy, product design and pharmacy.

Peter Symonds College is currently in the process of applying for re-accreditation of its ‘Investor in Careers Quality Award’ which demonstrates the College's commitment to provide impartial careers education, information, advice and guidance to all students.