Students from across Sunderland were given the opportunity to discover future careers, meet employers and explore the pathways available to them as part of Sunderland College’s Future Ready event.
Sunderland College welcomed employers, universities, training providers and industry professionals for Future Ready 2026, bringing education and industry together to inspire young people and help them make an informed decision about their futures.
The event was designed to give attendees the opportunity to look beyond the classroom and discover the wide range of careers, industries and progression routes available to them.
Helen Stubbs, Workforce Sustainability Officer at Sunderland City Council said: “We offer an apprenticeship programme, where we took on 24 apprentices last year – there are of exciting opportunities that generate interest in careers here with us.
“We want to make sure that we have sustainable careers as we think about next steps and training for people, while also considering learning and progression for our current workforce as well as getting young people interested in careers with Sunderland City Council.
“Today’s event has been a great opportunity for this and I hope it’s given young people a lot of positive things to think about as they consider their future.”
Future Ready showcased opportunities across a diverse range of sectors, helping young people understand both established career routes and the opportunities emerging with the regional economy.
Attendees were encouraged to explore areas including digital, creative industries, health and sport, engineering, construction and customer industries, while considering the different routes available through further education, higher education, apprenticeships and employment.
By bringing organisations and young people together face-to-face, the event gave attendees the chance to ask questions, find out what different careers are really like and hear directly from those already working within industry.
The event also supported Sunderland College’s wider commitment to ensuring students are equipped not only with qualifications, but with the knowledge, confidence and experiences they need to progress successfully in their next steps.
This reflects the college’s wider work to align its curriculum with the needs of the North East and support positive progression into employment, further study and higher education, an approach highlighted during its Outstanding Ofsted inspection.
Future Ready was about more than simply introducing young people to different careers.
The event aimed to help attendees recognise the range of possibilities open to them and understand that there is no single route to a successful future.
Laura Smith, Head of People from Creo Communications added: “We are really proud to support young people from the city, and we do that in various different ways.
“We offer apprenticeship opportunities where people will be mentored through Creo but also have that academic support through the college. We also have the placement route too, where it’d be more on the job learning. I’d say to anyone that is interested in working with us, just reach out and if we can make it work, we absolutely will.”
Whether their next step involves further study, an apprenticeship, university or moving towards employment, young people were encouraged to explore their options and identify the pathway that best suits their aspirations.
By giving attendees access to information, advice and real conversations with employers and education providers, Future Ready helped turn what can sometimes feel like difficult decisions about the future into exciting opportunities.
The event built on the college’s commitment to raising aspirations and supporting young people to achieve their ambitions, with Ofsted previously recognising that young people across the college group are ambitious for their futures and progress into positive destinations.
Future Ready demonstrated the impact that can be achieved when schools, colleges, employers, universities and partners work together to support young people.
Sunderland College would like to thank all of the employers, exhibitors, education providers, partners and colleagues who contributed to the event and shared their time, knowledge and experience with attendees.
Their involvement helped create an engaging experience where young people could explore opportunities, challenge their perceptions of different careers and begin turning their aspirations into plans.
Sunderland College, as part of college group EPNE, receives an Outstanding rating across the board in its latest Ofsted inspection.
November 26, 2024
EPNE has been recognised by the ETF as an example of how colleges can champion inclusion and improve outcomes for learners with SEND.
November 9, 2026
EPNE has announced the appointment of Rob Lawson OBE as its new Chair of Governors, marking a return to the college group.
November 6, 2026
98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
