Over 130 leading global businesses including Google, KPMG and Amazon are taking part in a major careers festival for more than 5,000 young Londoners.

Primary and Secondary pupils aged 10 to 19 from 120 of the capital’s schools will link up with firms across Square Mile locations including Guildhall, the historic seat of the City’s government.

The City of London Corporation, which is hosting the London Careers Festival event for the first time, wants to connect the youngsters to the career opportunities offered in the City and across London, fuelling their imaginations and helping to shape their futures.

The weeklong free event will be held from 17–21 June, with businesses talking pupils through the work experience and employability skills needed for successful careers in their industries.

The London Careers Festival will officially be opened by Lord Mayor Peter Estlin on Tuesday 18 June at Guildhall, where over 60 firms have booths and representatives will be on hand to talk to the students about their job roles, offering work placements and apprenticeships schemes.

Henry Colthurst, Chairman of City of London Corporation’s Education Board, said:

“At a time when careers advice services are changing, businesses need to step up, offer support to schools and play a leading role in developing the skills of the future workforce.

“We want to encourage employers and schools together to create a genuine and long-term “bridge to business”.

“Good career guidance is critical if young people are to raise their aspirations and take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

“Experiencing the work environment boosts their career prospects and opens up a wide pool of talent for businesses.

“We hope the careers festival will become a firm fixture in London and in the calendar for schools and businesses across the country.”

During the week several ‘Fringe Events’ will be held across London, with firms hosting careers advice sessions for groups of school pupils at their headquarters.

Any school wishing to attend should register their interest here or contact Carolyne Worman c/o C4Festival@cityoflondon.gov.uk to book free places.

Notes to Editors

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK.

The City of London Corporation sponsors or co-sponsors 10 academies across Hackney, Newham, Islington and Southwark. In 2017 and 2018, Sutton Trust named the City Corporation as the UK’s best academy sponsor for empowering pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to perform above the national average, and the leading academy sponsor for Progress 8 and Attainment 8, which track pupil progress and achievement.