Around 500 young people had the benefit of some of the best careers advice guidance at the Reading Careers Fair on October 13.

Gill Waller, Curriculum Development adviser for 14 to 19-year-olds, who organised the event, said: “The most important thing is for students to be aware of where a particular route can take them. Connexions provides a service for those who may become NEETs (not in education, employment or training), and for all young people of every educational ability and family financial circumstance.

“We want the best for our young people and we need them to have skills in areas that are lacking at the moment.

“There is concern that the universality of service available through Connexions is at risk (from spending cuts). It is a service that provides vital joined-up thinking for young people, offering pathways to a great deal of choice.”

Throughout the fair, at Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, talks were held on topics such as: going to university; a career with BAE engineering; jobs in the National Health Service, working with a law firm - presented by Morgan Cole - plus sports development and a presentation by BBC Monitoring on world media.

Mrs Waller said: “At the National Health Service talk, many students expressed an interest in becoming a doctor or nurse and as well as outlining the qualifications needed, Miriam Park, Royal Berkshire Hospital’s Human Resource manager, suggested other areas of the NHS for youngsters to consider that can offer a worthwhile and interesting career.

“The National Grid spokesperson told students that there is concern that unless something dramatic happens to provide high calibre engineering students there will be a shortage and there is a drive to encourage students to follow STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) subjects.

“The talks were very helpful in promoting a greater understanding to those with vague ideas but no detailed plan. Getting information and being able to ask employers about what they do is important. The students were able to ask direct questions such as: ‘How do you spend your time?’, ‘What do you enjoy about your job?’ and ‘What do I need to make a career in that field?’.”

Students from Kendrick, Reading Girls’ and Highdown schools went along with tutors but the fair was open to all young people and parents. Mrs Waller hopes that next year the fair will be open during the early evening to catch more sixth formers.

The spectrum of companies attending was broad and offered an excellent resource to youngsters on engineering, the armed forces, defence, agricultural careers, horticulture, construction, public service, the airline industries, transport, banking, marketing and the media.

Companies included The Oracle and Marks and Spencer (retail), RBC (property), Morgan Cole and Manches (law), Chiltern Training (childcare), The Hexagon theatre, BBC Monitoring and TVRN, NAS for apprenticeships. Further education was represented by Oxford University, Bracknell and Wokingham College and Reading College.

A team from the Reading Army Preparation Programme explained a new course available in Reading, Newbury and Bracknell as an option for youngsters leaving school with no idea of what they want to do.

Mrs Waller said: “There was an excellent turnout by professionals and students. I was so impressed that we were able to recruit all those companies whose representatives gave up their time. Certainly some think 13 is quite young to start career planning, but they need to start thinking about it early in order to make the right option choices.”