Petroc’s 2000 Futures Campaign Reaches Over 1,000 Employer Pledges

Petroc has announced this week that it has reached an exciting milestone in its ambitious 2000 Futures Campaign, securing over 1,000 pledges from local employers to support work experience and career development opportunities for young people across the region.

Now at the halfway point in Week 6, the campaign has seen a fantastic jump from 43% last week to 51% this week – a great step forward that highlights the strong and growing support from employers across Devon and beyond.

Launched earlier this year, the 2000 Futures Campaign aims to create 2,000 meaningful work experience encounters for Petroc students by Christmas, connecting learners with the world of work. These encounters include work placements, workplace tours, guest talks, T Level placements, and supported internships, all designed to bridge the gap between education and employment.

The campaign has received outstanding backing from North Devon’s business community, with organisations of all sizes getting involved – from small family-run firms to large regional employers. This collective effort reflects a shared commitment to developing local talent and inspiring the next generation of professionals.

Key Highlights This Week:

• Thursday 16th October: Employers including Eaton, the MOD, and Cytivia hosted a meet-and-greet session for first-year T Level students.

• Earth Scholar: Three Year 2 T Level students have signed up to support new sustainability projects.

• Events Attended: Petroc teams represented at the Devon Chamber Business Expo and Maritime UK Southwest events.

• Business Students: A group of Business students attended the Business Expo in Plymouth, gaining valuable industry exposure.

• T Level Week (13–17 October): Strong social media engagement promoting our learners and the employers supporting placements.

• New Employer Placement: The Big Sheep has welcomed an Animal Care T Level student on placement.

• Upcoming Event: Tiverton Employer Breakfast on Wednesday 5th November 2025, bringing together employers to explore partnership opportunities.

Reaching the halfway target so quickly is a clear sign of how dedicated our local employers are to supporting young people. Every pledge represents a real opportunity for Petroc students to gain insight, confidence, and skills that will shape their future careers.

Employers participating in the initiative are already seeing the benefits, not only in helping students gain valuable experience but also in strengthening relationships between industry and education.

Petroc continues to invite more organisations to join the campaign, encouraging businesses to offer even small-scale opportunities that can make a lasting difference in a young person’s career journey.

For more information on how to get involved in the 2000 Futures Campaign, visit https://bit.ly/2000futures