Barnsley Academy Careers Fair

The Barnsley Academy Careers Fair ran from 10:30am to 3:30pm on 9 July 2026 and was attended by over 300 students from Year 7 to Year 10, in rotating groups throughout the day.

Attending the event and representing the APM Education Workstream for the Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Network provided me with the opportunity to deliver an interactive engagement session with the students. This included:

Explaining what project management is in simple, relatable terms
Discussing different sectors and types of projects (e.g. infrastructure, transport)
Outlining roles within a project team and key responsibilities
Answering questions around entry routes into the profession and “a day in the life” of a project manage

Students also asked about my own role and what I do on a day-to-day basis, which provided an opportunity to share practical insights into working as a project professional. Drawing from the Project: You, A student guide to project management, I discussed key skills required in project management, different roles within a project team, and the range of sectors and projects individuals can work across.

Student engagement was very positive. There was a mix of awareness levels:
Some students had no prior knowledge of the profession
Others had some awareness, including a few whose parents are project managers
One student showed particular interest in transport and railway projects

The sessions were interactive, with students sharing their own understanding of projects, which allowed for discussion and clarification in a relatable way.

APM promotional materials were distributed and were well received by the students.

The event also included a range of other organisations such as Barnsley Sixth Form College, Barnardo’s, Barnsley Community Trust, Willmott Dixon, Doncaster Equine College, National Horseracing College and others, making it a well-rounded careers event.