Back in March, Finance Officer Chloe and Degree Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Rosi, both based at our operational hub in Thanet, Kent – attended the Bower Grove School Careers Fair in Maidstone. The event brought together a range of employers and organisations to give students valuable insight into different career paths and industries.

Bower Grove School is a specialist provision supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, autism spectrum conditions (ASC), social communication difficulties, and associated learning challenges. Events like this play an important role in helping students build confidence, explore opportunities, and engage with the world of work in a supportive and accessible environment.

Representing our team, Chloe and Rosi spoke with students about the variety of roles available within our organisation and the wider rail industry. From finance and commercial roles through to engineering and project delivery, they were able to highlight the different pathways into the sector, including apprenticeships and early careers opportunities.

Throughout the day, students showed genuine curiosity and enthusiasm, asking thoughtful questions and taking the time to understand what a career in rail could look like. For many, it was an opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and engage with professionals in a new setting.

Reflecting on the experience, Chloe said:

“Bower Grove is a school specialising in pupils with learning difficulties and SEMH needs. Many of the students are on the autism spectrum and experience communication challenges, as well as ADHD. Despite this, the pupils were incredibly polite and asked lots of thoughtful questions, even when stepping outside their comfort zones. This was the first time the school had organised a careers day on such a large scale, and everyone was so welcoming and accommodating.”
Chloe Walker
Finance Officer

Our involvement in the careers fair formed part of our wider social value commitments, delivered in collaboration with the Southern Renewals Enterprise. Supporting local communities and inspiring future talent is a key part of what we do, and events like this allow us to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

For both Rosi and Chloe, the day was not only rewarding but also insightful. Engaging directly with students provided a fresh perspective on how we communicate opportunities within our industry and reinforced the importance of creating inclusive pathways into employment.

We’re proud to have supported Bower Grove School in delivering this event and look forward to continuing our work with the Southern Renewals Enterprise to inspire the next generation of talent across the communities we serve.

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