Adult Skills learners at Bradford College took an exciting step towards their future at a vibrant Careers Fair designed to inspire ambition, build confidence and connect students with real-world opportunities.
Held on 23 June, the event brought together local employers, community organisations and College services, giving learners the chance to explore career pathways, expand their professional networks and discover opportunities that could shape their next step in employment, volunteering or further study.
Organisations attending the fair included Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, Aire Rivers Trust, The Conservation Volunteers, Canal & River Trust, Bradford Environmental Education Service, Horton Community Farm, Friends of Horton Park, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Groundwork, YOR Green CIC, Get Outside More CIC, Bradford College Construction Skills Academy, Close Watch Security, and the Bradford College Job Shop.
Students also had the opportunity to experience emerging technologies through an interactive Virtual Reality (VR) stall, hosted by Monika Worthington and Clark Mitton, who introduced learners to digital immersive learning and demonstrated how technology can support future skills development.
Throughout the day, learners engaged confidently with exhibitors, asked insightful questions and discovered new possibilites for their future. For many, the event provided valuable inspiration as well as practical advice and connections.
Abdulrahim Mohammed Osman, an ESOL learner, said:
“I really enjoyed it. I walked around, spoke to different people and learned about new opportunities. It was good fun and a great chance to meet new people.”
Bilal Mahmood, who is preparing to progress to Level 3 Counselling, highlighted the importance of events that connect learners with organisations and employers:
“It’s helpful for people looking to get into employment, training or further courses. It helps learners understand what opportunities are available for the future.”
The event also showcased the power of partnership working, with ESOL learners sharing how volunteering and outdoor learning projects has helped them improve their English, gain practical skills, build confidence and form lasting friendships within their communities.
Representatives from attending organisations were equally positive about the impact of the work taking place with learners. Pippa, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Ranger, who has worked alongside ESOL learners through a year-long project involving Camilla and Heidi, said:
“It’s been really rewarding to work with the ESOL students over the past year. They’ve shown great enthusiasm and were already confident with many of the practical activities. It’s been wonderful to see how they’ve developed their skills, built friendships and worked together through the project. The partnership with Camilla Fletcher, Heidi Reinsch and Bradford College has created valuable opportunities for students to connect with their local community and environments.”
Reflecting on the event’s success, Seima Mahmood, Interim Curriculum Area Manager for ESOL, said:
“The Careers Fair was a fantastic success and demonstrated the enthusiasm and ambition of our learners. It was incredibly rewarding to see so many students actively engaging with employers, asking questions about employment and training opportunities and building valuable professional connections. Events like this play a vital role in developing learners’ confidence and employability skills.”
Ummera Iqbal, Head of Department for Adult Skills, added:
“When learners connect with opportunity, ambition becomes action and aspirations become achievable goal. The Careers Fair successfully connected learners with employers, helping them build professional networks and gain insight into future career opportunities. I’m pleased to hear that the Careers Fair was a success.”
The Careers Fair highlighted Bradford College’s commitment to helping learners turn aspirations into action. By bringing together employers, community organisations and education professionals, the event empowered students to explore new opportunities, broaden their horizons and take positive steps towards achieving their goals.
Explore Bradford College Adult Courses and discover where learning could take you next.
Bradford College has been named ‘Employer of the Year’ at the 2026 Telegraph & Argus Bradford BUSINESSiQ Awards. The annual awards celebrate the success, achievement, and innovation of people and companies throughout the district. Each nominee is recognised for putting the region on the map, boosting the economy, and making a positive contribution to the […]
Bradford College recently celebrated a successful day at the Leeds Global Learning Awards. The college took home four prizes in recognition of its outstanding commitment to sustainability, skills, and community impact. The third annual awards recognised educators, young people, and schools and colleges in West Yorkshire that tackle global challenges. The event is hosted annually […]
