KCP spent Wednesday morning at Bracknell BID’s STEM Careers Day, and honestly, we had a blast. The room was full of bright, curious sixth formers from across Bracknell who arrived ready to explore, ask questions and figure out what might be possible for them next. The energy in the room was brilliant from the moment the doors opened.
Hosted at Waitrose & Partners HQ, the event brought together students and employers for real conversations about what STEM careers actually look like. Many of the students openly admitted they have no clue what career they want, which we love because it means they are starting from honesty, not pressure. And to be fair, most of us were exactly the same at their age.
Alongside us were Cadence, Dell, GE Vernova, Eli Lilly, Reliance High-Tech, TD Synnex and Waitrose. A very serious-sounding line-up that turned out to be full of warm, passionate people who all said the same thing. Careers don’t magically appear. You start somewhere, anywhere, and you grow as you go.
KCP was there flying the flag for smart technology, networks and future-facing STEM roles that don’t always get the spotlight. Students were surprised to learn how much goes into the tech that powers buildings, campuses and day-to-day life. They were even more surprised that roles in smart solutions, energy efficiency and digital systems exist right on their doorstep.
KCP’s Inga quickly became the unofficial spokesperson for “your first job is not your final destination,” telling students:
“Every single company in the room was saying the same thing. Just get started. I told them I began in admin, moved into project management and now I work across operations and marketing. Nobody has it all figured out from day one. That is why Bracknell Forest Skills Hub is such a gem. So many students told us they had absolutely no idea what they wanted. Honestly, I felt that.”
And she wasn’t exaggerating. One student said, “I don’t know what I want to do.”
Another said, “I don’t even know what I don’t want to do.”
A third just shrugged like, “We’re all just doing our best.”
This is exactly where Bracknell Forest Skills Hub comes in. While businesses talked about roles, training and apprenticeships, Nikki’s team talked about the students as actual humans. What they enjoy. What they’re naturally good at. What lights them up. And they made a very important point. Career decisions shouldn’t be based on family expectations or what you just happen to be studying. They should be based on what feels right for you.
“What we saw today was a group of young people who are curious, capable and more open-minded than they realise. Many arrived unsure about their next steps, which is completely normal. Our role at Bracknell Forest Skills Hub is to help them explore what they enjoy, what they’re naturally good at and what career paths actually fit them. Events like this make it so much easier for students to see what is possible, and it was brilliant to work alongside employers who genuinely want to support them.” – Nikki Burns, Bracknell Forest Skills Hub.
Bracknell BID kept the whole event running smoothly and created a space where young people felt comfortable to talk, laugh, be confused and ask big questions without pressure. That is what makes events like this work. Real conversations, not rehearsed speeches.
“One of the BID’s primary objectives is to support business growth and investment, and events like STEM Careers Day really bring that to life. We loved bringing together local STEM companies within the Bracknell BID area, giving students a real chance to meet industry professionals and explore future opportunities, while also letting businesses connect with each other and the next generation of talent.” Comments Sean Griffin, BID Manager for Bracknell BID.
For KCP, the day was a brilliant reminder of why early career engagement matters. Smart technology is growing fast, and the industry needs curious, switched-on young people who enjoy solving problems, exploring data, experimenting with systems and making everyday spaces run better. If even one student left thinking, “Actually, tech could be for me,” then we’ve done our job.
We walked away feeling energised, inspired and maybe a little protective of Bracknell’s next generation. The more awareness we can create, the more students realise that they are surrounded by opportunities they didn’t even know existed.
Because here’s the truth. Being unsure is not the problem. It’s the starting point. And days like this help turn that uncertainty into direction.
Interested in finding out more about KCP, please contact us.
