Faris Kadeb
UTC Reading year 13 student Faris Kadeb has landed a role speaking for young people on an advisory board for a national body for careers education in England.
Faris is one 23 young people aged 14-25 from across England selected to be on the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) for the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC), which supports schools and colleges to deliver modern, 21st century careers education.
The group meets regularly to discuss and input into CEC projects and plans, share experiences of careers education and make sure that young people’s voices and experiences are heard by those who matter.
Faris, who is studying Maths, Physics and Engineering, is already an active member of the school community, where he is Student Director of Extra Curricular, and also Staff Sergeant for the school-run Combined Cadet Forces.
He explains more about his role:
“YAG is the Youth Advisory Board for the Careers and Enterprise company. Essentially, the CEC use the YAG to ensure that the ideas they have are directly affecting the youth. We also bring forward ideas, speak at roundtable discussions, and deliver talks at conference throughout the year on all things careers.
Faris, left, helping out at a UTCR event
“I joined because was recommended it through the school’s Head of Careers, who believed I would excel in this position and the ideas I’ve brought forward as Student Director of Extra-Curricular would impact the YAG. As soon as I saw the role on LinkedIn I was eager to be a part of the team and make sure I could have a say in careers education, which is something I really enjoy delivering to students at UTC Reading.
“I applied online, answering a couple of questions, and then a video interview, and then had an online group interview. We discussed what would add or change to the current careers education where I spoke about the work I do at UTC Reading with the career insight talks I started delivering last year.
“I got the role, and I think that going to a UTC and having the role I have gives me a different angle to the board than other members. When asked the question ‘what careers education have you had’ I was the only one who replied with an extensive amount, with most other members having next to none. Also, going to a UTC has allowed me to bring forward ideas I most likely would not have thought of otherwise.
“UTC Reading delivers amazing careers and employer engagement opportunities. I’ve had countless opportunities to speak to employers and work out the exact career I want to go into since joining in Year 10. I would 100% say that I’m only in the position I’m in now because of the opportunities UTC Reading gives and has given me since joining.”
For more information visit Youth Advisory Group | The Careers and Enterprise Company
