2000 Futures Campaign Hits 88% as Employer Support Surges
Petroc’s 2000 Futures Campaign has reached a major milestone, with employer engagement now standing at 88% of our target and a total of 1,754 pledged opportunities already secured for learners across the 2025/26 academic year. These opportunities – from workplace tours and guest talks to long-term placements – are helping young people build confidence, grow essential employability skills, and take genuine steps towards their future careers.
Launched in September, the campaign aims to unlock 2,000 high-quality employer encounters by Christmas, and the momentum so far has been incredibly encouraging. With 742 opportunities already completed, learners are feeling the impact right now, not just in the classroom but directly within industry environments.
Community Outreach Making Noise
The past few weeks have seen a wave of outreach activity, including:
- Attending Node CoWork’s “Build Your Business Day”
- Hosting an Employer Engagement Breakfast at Tiverton Campus
- Joining the North Devon Business Breakfast Group at the Barnstaple Hotel
- Meeting future partners at the Bideford College Careers Event
These events are expanding our network and opening new doors for students across all subject areas.
New Pledges Rolling In
Petroc teams have held positive meetings with organisations including Molland Parish Council, Braddicks Leisure, Golden Bay Holiday Park, Lets Go, and the South West Police Cyber Crime Unit to shape meaningful work experience. This week alone, pledges have included:
- An industry talk and site visit from Lets Go
- A cyber escape room experience for Digital learners from the Police Cyber Crime Unit
- Group experience opportunities from North Devon Biosphere
- Group work experience with Devonshire Homes
- Industry talks, site visits, work experience, T Level placements and Supported Internships with Evans Transport
A huge 215 employers have now pledged to support the campaign or have already taken on work experience or T Level students – showing just how committed our community is to backing local talent.
New Employers Joining Us This Week
Some of the brilliant businesses who’ve come onboard over the past seven days include Banbury’s Beauty Spa, Bray Leino, Calvert Trust Exmoor, Citizens Advice, Devonshire Homes, North Devon Biosphere Foundation, RAF Odiham, South West Regional Cyber Crime Unit, Zigzags Hair Salon and many more. Their involvement is helping us broaden opportunities across every study area.
One Month to Go! Call to Employers
We’re inviting more local businesses to get involved by offering any form of workplace engagement, big or small. Whether it’s a two-week placement, a campus talk, a tour of your facilities, or a long-term partnership, every single opportunity counts towards our 2,000 target.
With just one month to go, and under 250 placements to fill, employers can pledge their support through our online form, helping us match the right learners with the right experiences and continue building a future-ready workforce for our region.
Image: James Walker, Business Account Manager attending the Mid Devon Business Networking Group Breakfast at the Hartnoll Hotel, Tiverton.
