WORKSHOPS aimed to inspire students to find their 'Jobs of the Future' as two businesses teamed up to to create a new partnership, writes Harry Buckley.

Slough Aspire and IO Data Centres hosted pupils from The Westgate School at Slough Aspire in Slough Trading Estate to help them consider a number of different career possibilities.

The pupils, aged 14 and 15, took part in workshops at the facility in Edinburgh Avenue, including a speed networking session involving group interactions where they were able to question IO staff about their career experiences and views.

Fiona Jones, chief executive of Slough Aspire, a training and social enterprise, said that data centre services companies are going to be key to future employment for many young people.

She added: “Data centres are the immense under-the-bonnet engines that are dramatically but quietly supporting the third industrial revolution, the internet and a digitally connected world. This revolution is where many of tomorrow's jobs will be found.

“Jobs of the Future represented a unique opportunity for pupils from The Westgate School to meet key people in a fast-moving digital industry, from the UK managing director of IO, to the company's marketing people, network infrastructure engineers and other important personnel.

“We are very excited the company has agreed to work with us.”

Nigel Stevens, managing director at IO UK, a leading global data centre services company, said the company taking part in an event like 'Jobs of the Future' and working with Slough Aspire was an opportunity to support and help the young people.

Mr Stevens said: “We are delighted to be working with Slough Aspire and supporting the local community. 'Jobs of the Future' is an exciting and important element of the digital economy and we hope to encourage the next generation to be actively thinking about new technology and how they can be part of the future of IT and business.”

The one-day workshop took place on Wednesday last week.