Chelmsford’s largest-ever Skills Festival welcomed over 1,500 Year 8 students from nine local secondary schools last week, thanks to the incredible support of 75 local businesses and organisations committed to investing in the future workforce.
Organised by the Invest in Chelmsford team from Chelmsford City Council, Skills Fest 2025 returned with a bigger-than-ever line-up and a renewed focus on helping young people explore career pathways through engaging, hands-on experiences.
The success of Skills Fest is built on the generosity and enthusiasm of local employers who gave their time to showcase the incredible career opportunities available right here in Chelmsford and Essex.
From virtual reality in architecture and civil engineering to hands-on demos in science, law, construction, broadcasting, horticulture, social care, emergency services and beyond — every experience gave students a window into real careers and the skills needed to succeed.
The event clearly demonstrated the value of the long-term commitment local employers are already making to future skills. By investing time and resources into helping young people explore career paths, businesses are actively supporting the development of a skilled local workforce. This shared investment in talent is essential for Chelmsford’s continued growth and helps ensure that local industries have access to the people and capabilities they need for the future.
Designed specifically for Year 8 pupils (aged 12–13), the festival encourages students to explore career options before they make key decisions about GCSE subjects in Year 9. Skills Fest helps connect classroom learning with real-life job opportunities — inspiring students to see their potential and make more confident, informed choices about their future.
When students can physically try new skills and speak directly with employers, they begin to understand not just what’s out there, but where their own interests and talents might take them. Skills Fest gave them space to be curious, build confidence, and explore career paths that may not have been on their radar before.
Skills Fest 2025 was delivered by Chelmsford City Council in partnership with ARU Writtle and the Essex Agricultural Society, with generous sponsorship from Essex County Council, Morgan Sindall Construction, and the North Essex Economic Board.
The event featured six themed zones, each reflecting a key industry area:
Step-up Space (Health & Social Care)
Inspiration Zone (STEM & Tech)
Enlightening Zone (Legal, Finance & Public Services)
Motivation Zone (Creative Industries)
Futures Tent (Construction & Trades)
Discovery Tent (Outdoor, Green & Emergency Services)
From meeting search and rescue dogs and learning CPR, to building circuits, animating videos, or presenting on live radio — students were invited to try something new, meet real professionals, and begin imagining their place in the world of work.
Skills Fest is a powerful example of what’s possible when local government, education and industry work together. Events like this help to build a talent pipeline that meets the needs of local employers while giving young people a clearer view of the opportunities available to them.
By investing time and resources into the next generation, Chelmsford’s business community is helping to ensure the city remains a thriving hub of innovation, ambition and skills — ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
If you have any questions or need further information about the exciting opportunities in Chelmsford, our dedicated team is here to help.
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