ASH Integrated Services is continuing its commitment to supporting young people across Greater Manchester through meaningful career engagement.
Most recently, Director Antony Grace attended the Cansfield High School Careers Fair, speaking with Year 10 and Year 11 students, as well as their parents, about future employment pathways, technical careers, and real opportunities within mechanical and electrical engineering.
Why the Careers Fair Matters
Cansfield’s Careers Fair plays a valuable role for pupils at this stage of their educational journey.
At age fourteen to fifteen, students are approaching a decisive point. They begin choosing post sixteen directions such as apprenticeships, A levels, T levels, or vocational routes.
Antony’s presence allowed students and parents to get honest and first hand insight. They heard directly from an employer who hires, develops, and mentors young talent.
As well as talking about engineering, Antony talks about resilience, character, curiosity, and options.
He explains that careers do not always follow a straight line and that talent does not always show up as exam grades. He also highlights the huge value of practical learning and hands on skill building.
Curiosity from Students and Parents
Across the event, students asked a wide range of questions, from apprenticeship requirements, to salary expectations, to what a “day on site” really looks like.
Parents were equally engaged and often asked about progression routes and job security. Many also wanted to understand the long term future of engineering careers in a fast changing world.
Antony was able to reassure them that engineering is a stable and forward looking career path. Mechanical, electrical, renewables, and building services are not only future proof but future critical.
He highlighted the ongoing demand for skilled engineers as the UK transitions to low carbon heating and smart building technology. He also noted the growth of EV infrastructure and sustainable construction.
Career Paths for Every Personality
In speaking with families, Antony emphasised that engineering careers are open to a wide range of personalities and learning styles, analytical thinkers, collaborative workers, practical makers, problem-solvers and creative minds.
He explained that ASH does not simply look for qualifications on paper, but for the right mindset and willingness to learn.
Supporting Local Talent Development
Events like the Cansfield Careers Fair are an important part of ASH’s wider social value work.
By engaging with schools, connecting with students face-to-face, and offering clear insight into industry expectations, we’re helping young people make informed decisions about their future.
Our involvement is part of a long-term strategy to grow talent locally and keep opportunity accessible within our communities.
Many of the students who meet Antony today could go on to become engineers, supervisors, project managers, or specialists tomorrow.
Investing in the Future of Engineering
This is how you build a workforce, not by waiting for skills to appear, but by nurturing them early.
For ASH Integrated Services, investing in young people is investing in the future of our sector.
And we are proud to play a role in guiding tomorrow’s workforce, one conversation, one student, one career path at a time.
