On a bright March morning, Will Bryant and Beth Knight representing Bray & Slaughter, joined a cohort of industry volunteers at Mangotsfield School in Bristol. Their mission: to provide valuable curriculum support and career insights to students, fostering a deeper understanding of the professional world. This initiative aligned with Bray & Slaughter's commitment to community engagement, talent pipeline development and inspire future generations.
Carey Phillips the school’s dedicated Careers Coordinator, warmly welcomed the volunteers and provided a concise induction. The event was structured as a dynamic “careers carousel”, designed to maximise learner exposure to diverse professional paths. Volunteers were assigned to classrooms and rotated every 7-8 minutes, delivering concise presentations about their job roles, industry sectors, and essential workplace skills. This format facilitated rapid-fire knowledge sharing and encouraged student interaction.
Will Bryant a Managing Quantity Surveyor and Bethan Knight a Design Manager, shared their professional journeys and practical insights with the learners. Will focused on the importance of Quantity Surveying and problem solving and Beth highlighted the role of design management and creativity. They tailored their presentations to be engaging and accessible, using real-world examples to illustrate key concepts. The students were highly engaged, demonstrating genuine curiosity and enthusiasm. The brief Q&A sessions following each presentation yielded a range of thoughtful questions.
This event provided B&S with a unique opportunity to connect with potential future employees and showcase the diverse career opportunities within our industry. The team's positive experience and commitment to future participation underscore the strategic value of engaging with local schools to cultivate a strong talent pipeline and enhance brand awareness within the community.