Ayrshire Kids Get a Taste of Future Careers at Rotary Club Fair

Schoolchildren in Ayrshire were given a glimpse of what the future could hold for them during the annual Ayr Rotary Careers fair at Ayr Town Hall. The event involved a number of employers, nine primary schools and 375 children in total.

On the day, there were 32 displays, each one giving children something to consider in terms of a career when they leave school. From the Army, Ayr United, dentistry, veterinary through to NHS, police and many other businesses and services, children were inspired and thrilled with opportunities to learn and experience potential careers for their future.

One of the most sought-after events was being handcuffed by the police! And not forgetting the appeal of a Master Chef displaying culinary skills. Many congratulations to the event organiser, Ayr Rotarian and President Howard Stevenson, and all volunteers, and especially the children who thoroughly enjoyed their day out. A huge thank you to South Ayrshire Council for their generosity in allowing the use of the Town Hall.

Among the representatives were Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health Professions and medical staff from NHS Ayrshire & Arran. In the weeks leading up to the event, pupils learned about different professions and creatively expressed their ambitions by designing “When I grow up, I want to be…” artwork on hessian bags. The children brought the bags along on the day and filled them with information to help them explore their future career paths.

The event also provided a valuable opportunity for healthcare staff to share their experiences, answer questions and encourage young people to consider rewarding careers in nursing, midwifery and wider healthcare roles.

Nina McGinley, Board Excellence in Care Clinical Lead and Lead for Practice Development in NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: “On behalf of all my colleagues from NHS Ayrshire & Arran, I want to extend thanks to the Rotary Club of Ayr for creating such an engaging and inspiring environment for young people to explore their futures. This is our third year attending this event, and it has become a key highlight for staff involved. We hope we inspired the children to think big, understand the opportunities available and begin to see themselves as part of the future NHS workforce. We are delighted to be able to support an initiative aimed at inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals.”