More than 600 local secondary school pupils gained first-hand insight into the careers shaping the region’s future when Future Fusion: Amber Valley Skills Festival took place on Friday 6 March.
Commissioned by Amber Valley Borough Council and delivered by Ideas4Careers, the event brought employers, universities, training providers and public services together to give Year 7 and 8 students, including SEND learners, meaningful exposure to future career pathways.
(Pictured above, Ideas4Careers: Students take part in hands-on activities with local employers at Future Fusion)
Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Council’s skills and economic development programme, the festival was also supported by free school transport from Derbyshire County Council, ensuring access for schools across the borough.
The aim was clear. Raise aspirations early. Increase awareness of local opportunities. Help young people make informed decisions about their next steps.
Amber Valley does not host its own university or further education college. Many young people therefore continue their studies elsewhere.
Future Fusion demonstrated that while education may take young people beyond the borough, strong career opportunities exist locally.
Alongside regional education providers, students met major national and international employers operating locally, demonstrating the scale and diversity of industries based in the area.
Around 40 exhibitors transformed the venue into a practical showcase of industry in action.
Students tackled construction challenges, explored robotics and virtual reality technology, tested cyber security scenarios, examined environmental science investigations and experienced live engineering demonstrations. Each exhibitor delivered a hands-on activity linked directly to their industry, encouraging conversation rather than passive information gathering.
(Pictured above,Ideas4Careers: Students showcase their teamwork and logical thinking during Lubrizol’s interactive session)
Mark Wright, Laboratory Technician at Lubrizol, said: "Our hands-on activity today encouraged students to think about how to approach problems in a practical way. It also gave them the opportunity to demonstrate the skills they already have, from teamwork to logical thinking and creativity.
"Events like this are not just about businesses showcasing what they do. They also show that there is a skilled and capable workforce coming through. We’ve been based in Amber Valley for nearly 75 years, and it’s encouraging to see the next generation engaging so positively."
Behind the activities sits a longer-term ambition.
Local and regional employers consistently highlight skills shortages and workforce development as key concerns. By connecting students with industry at an early stage, the Council aims to strengthen pathways into apprenticeships, technical training and higher education, helping reduce the number of young people leaving school without a clear progression route.
(Pictured above, Ideas4Careers: Councillor Emma Monkman opens FutureFusion alongside Michelle Taylor of Ideas4Careers)
Opening the event, Councillor Emma Monkman, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and Estates, said: "Events like Future Fusion are about more than just careers advice. They are about raising aspirations early and ensuring our young people understand the breadth of opportunity available to them locally.
"By bringing employers and students together, we are investing directly in our future workforce and helping local businesses access the talent they need to grow."
All participating businesses, universities and training providers gave their time free of charge. The event enabled them to build relationships with schools and showcase career routes across engineering, construction, advanced manufacturing, digital technology, environmental science, public services and health.
(Pictured above, AVBC: The Vaillant team at Future Fusion showcasing apprenticeship and career opportunities available)
Laura Thomas, Head of Training at Vaillant, said: "It’s important for us to show young people the range of opportunities available at our Belper site. We offer everything from engineering and low carbon apprenticeships to business management roles in areas like HR and marketing.
"We also brought along team members who are currently completing their apprenticeships, so students could speak to people closer to their own age and hear about their experiences first-hand.
"Events like Future Fusion help us raise awareness of our brand locally. Even if students don’t speak to us today, they may recognise the name in the future and realise those opportunities exist on their doorstep."
(Pictured above, AVBC: Trevor Middleton from Amber Sound FM shows how community radio builds confidence and communication skills for future careers)
Trevor Middleton, Presenter at Amber Sound FM, said: "Community radio is about much more than broadcasting. It helps young people build confidence, develop communication skills and learn how to present ideas clearly, abilities that are valuable in any career.
"Offering work experience and letting students see a live studio setup shows them the range of opportunities available locally, and how transferable skills can open doors in many different industries."
Future Fusion was organised and delivered on behalf of Amber Valley Borough Council by Ideas4Careers, who were commissioned to coordinate the event, secure exhibitors and bring together education providers and employers from across the region.
Michelle Taylor, Managing Director of Ideas4Careers, said: "Future Fusion was a vibrant, hands-on showcase of future careers that genuinely inspired and energised young people and the wider community, giving them a clear sense of what’s possible right here in Amber Valley.
"By inspiring ambition, demystifying the labour market and showing real pathways into local industries, the event delivered exactly the impact we hoped for. Exhibitors told us they had high-quality engagement with students throughout the day due to the ‘have-a-go’ nature of the activities, and feedback from local businesses, schools and the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
"The message we heard time and again was simple: ‘More of this please.’ Events like Future Fusion, made possible through Amber Valley Borough Council, are crucial for raising aspirations and strengthening the future talent pipeline in Amber Valley."
(Pictured above, Ideas4Careers: Pupils explore interactive exhibits showcasing careers in engineering, digital technology and construction)
The event also included an afternoon community session, giving families and job seekers access to apprenticeship providers, careers advice and employment support.
An evaluation will now be undertaken to assess the impact of the festival and inform future delivery.
Future Fusion forms part of the Council’s wider commitment to supporting skills development, economic resilience and long-term workforce growth.
Contact the team directly on 01773 570222 or email enquiry@ambervalley.gov.uk
