The Skills Show, the UK's largest skills and careers event, is inviting colleges and training organisations from across the country to take part in its Showcase performances at this year’s event, which will be held in Birmingham at the NEC from the November 14-16 2013.
Designed for visitors to learn more about a particular skill, the courses they can study and the career paths available to them, Showcase performances are intended to surprise and inspire visitors through a highly visual, stimulating and entertainment-led programme. Demonstrating the skills of students, trainees or apprentices in front of around 75,000 people, the Showcase programme is one of the focal points of The Skills Show, and with limited places available, competition to be selected to perform is likely to be high.
At The Skills Show 2012, 51 colleges, training organisations, community organisations, institutions and sixth form colleges from across the UK took the opportunity to deliver a national Showcase, showing off the exceptional talents of their students and learners in a wide array of skills. From hairdressing and cookery, to plumbing and engineering, the Showcases play a major part in The Skills Show and offer a host of benefits, as Chief Executive Ross Maloney explains:
“Showcase performances deliver a wealth of positive experiences, both to the audiences and to those who stage them. Students who take part have a great opportunity to demonstrate their talents in front of an audience of thousands, while gaining valuable experience in a real-life environment, which can help with their course or qualification.
“At the same time, showcasing organisations have a unique opportunity to enhance their reputation and demonstrate excellence to a national audience. This, in turn, will inspire visitors to consider new opportunities in the world of further education, skills and apprenticeships. The Showcases really are one of the most exciting parts of the event, and we look forward to building on last year’s successes in 2013.”
To apply to host a Showcase, please complete the application form at www.theskillsshow.com/showcase. Applications are now open and close on 30 April. There is no cost to become a Showcase provider.
In addition to the Showcase performances, The Skills Show provides visitors with the opportunity to try bite-size tasters of work-related skills in the Have a Go, speak with employers about job and training opportunities, receive specialist careers and training advice, hear industry speakers in Spotlight talks and watch the finals of more than 50 UK skills competitions, which identify the very best talent from across the UK – all under one roof.