OPPORTUNITY Knocks, Ryedale’s flagship careers event, welcomed several new employers to showcase the variety of job opportunities and training routes available in and around Ryedale to a future workforce.

The event at Lady Lumley’s School, Pickering, was attended by over 600 students from four Ryedale Schools – Norton College, Ryedale School, Malton School and Lady Lumley’s School. The event was also supported by The Careers and Enterprise Company, which links senior volunteers from business to work with schools.

John Brockett, General Manager of Derwent Training Association, explained, ‘’Opportunity Knocks is a fantastic event as it gives school pupils in Ryedale the ability to meet our employers and training providers to find out about real career opportunities that exist locally”.

At the event, students were able to try out specialist engineering and other hands-on tasks and discuss the many exciting career paths available in and around Ryedale. Students competed for a prize by demonstrating the knowledge they gained at the event about the different options companies can offer them.

Luke Clemmit, Farm Account Handler at Malton-based McClarrons, represented the insurance broker at Opportunity Knocks. He was appointed to the role in January 2017 after finding out about the career opportunities at McClarrons at the 2016 Opportunity Knocks, when he was still at school.

Lukesaid ‘Having joined the fun and hardworking Farm Team, I started my training in the company systems, processes and products. I now deal with farming and equine clients on a daily basis, ensuring they have the protection they need and answering any queries they have’.

Companies and organisations that took place in Opportunity Knocks this year included: The Army, Derwent Training, York College, Ellis Patents, Coventry University Scarborough Campus, York St John, Access to Music, Job Centre Plus, Tyro Training, Yormed, Marshalls, Sirius Minerals, North York Moors National Parks, Apprenticeship, Support and Knowledge Project, and Nestlé.