This November, 90 Year 12 students from across the Haberdashers’ family of schools came together for Careers for 2030 — a two-day event designed to spark ambition, expand horizons and give young people a clearer sense of the world they were stepping into.
Young people are being bombarded with media AI anxiety and graduate unemployment is becoming an increasing issue. The Careers for 2030 event was planned to support young people in making choices about how they would plan their future careers in a fast-changing context – with the benefit of practical advice and skills development from young professionals who had adapted to, or sometimes side-stepped, technology.
68% of students participating told us they were concerned about the impact of new technology on the job market before attending the event.
The event began with workplace visits. Students visited St Barts Hospital to explore medical innovation, Cap Gemini for digital transformation, and the Green Skills Hub, where sustainability met modern construction. Back at the Hall, students practiced their networking skills and heard from Zulum Elumogo — creative leader, Vice Chair of the Fair Education Alliance and Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ alumnus. Zulum advised students to ‘stay curious and proactive’ remembering that ‘online isn’t real life’, gaining real world experience and supporting others.
The conference opened with a keynote from Nicole Knott, Partner in Workforce Transformation at PwC, then students heard from professionals across creative industries, healthcare, engineering, finance and more.
Students also took part in hands-on workshops that focused on skills every young person needed — communicating clearly, networking in a world shaped by AI, and standing out in applications and interviews. Alongside industry insight, the event encouraged students to pause, think and ask: What could my future look like? What steps can I take now to get there?
“The workshops lifted my confidence in speaking socially and interviewing.” – Year 12 Crayford student
The day was closed impactfully by Derek Browne, who shared advice from his background as an athlete, in the world of finance and as an entrepreneur. He encouraged students to take the opportunity, not be put off by critical voices and learn from failures.
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The idea behind Careers for 2030 was simple. The world of work was changing faster than ever. Technology, global shifts and new expectations were reshaping what jobs existed and how careers were built. The old model — one education, one career, one retirement — was gone. But with change came opportunity.
At the end of the event:
- 86% agreed they felt more confident about responding to changes in the job market
- 100% improved their understanding of the knowledge and skills needed by employers
- 96% felt more connected to the Haberdashers’ community
Across the two days, students not only gained knowledge — they built confidence, curiosity and a sense of belonging to something bigger: the Haberdashers’ community. A community that believed in opening doors, asking questions and helping young people step forward with purpose.
