Cadet Careers Fair

Event details

Following the success of our previous Cadet Careers Fair and great feedback from past exhibitors, we are now planning for the 2026 event:

• Date: Saturday 7^th February 2026 (to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week)
• Time: 10:00 – 13:00 with refreshments and a light lunch provided for exhibitors
• Cost: Free of charge attendance and exhibition space
• Location: Foyer, York College & University Centre, Sim Balk Lane, York YO23 2BB

Objective

The aim of the event is to bring members of the Sea Cadets, Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force, aged 15½ -18, from across all of Yorkshire, the Humber and North East Lincolnshire, their adult instructors (CFAVs) and parents together with employers who recognise the benefits and work-ready life skills that cadets obtain. Employers are available to discuss work experience, career opportunities and apprenticeship placements.

Last year’s event offered immediate employment and apprenticeship opportunities to those attending. We hope this event will inspire and create ‘next steps’ for attending cadets looking to progress onto pathways from secondary education. A full list of organisations attending will be available January 2026.

Information for Cadets

The Cadet Careers Fair is open exclusively to Cadets and is a great opportunity for employers to meet cadets and for cadets to learn about career pathways and work experience. Cadets – you have the skills, the training, the knowledge and the drive! Don’t miss out on the chance to find out about work experience, what it can offer you and what you can bring to the workplace. Whether you are planning to progress to higher education, an apprenticeship, military service or entrepreneurism, the employers at the event are ready to share with you advice about possible next steps. For more details about attending, speak with your Officer Commanding.

Download and print the poster below to display on your notice boards in your cadet unit:

Information for Exhibitors

The aim of the event is to bring members of the Sea Cadets, Army Cadet Force , Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force aged 15½ -18, from across all of Yorkshire, the Humber and North East Lincolnshire, their adult instructors (CFAVs) and parents together with employers who recognise the benefits and work-ready life skills that cadets obtain, to discuss work experience, career opportunities and apprenticeship placements.

The 2026 of York College venue can accommodate around 60 exhibitors – first come, first served event. Please email Pauline King ([email protected]) as soon as possible if you would like to reserve an exhibitor space (a table will be provided and there will be space for a pop-up banner or two). In addition some outdoor, hard-standing space (weather permitting) will also be available for military /emergency /construction vehicles /machinery.

This is a free event, however, if you wish to make a small donation to The Yorkshire Cadet Trust this would be welcomed (but is definitely not obligatory). The Yorkshire Cadet Trust was created to ensure that all cadets, irrespective of their circumstances, have the chance to participate in all the opportunities that are made available to them. More information can be found by clicking here.

If you are unfamiliar with the Cadet Forces, the event will also be an opportunity to learn about the training methods, ethos and environment that allows all young people, irrespective of demographics and academic achievement, to develop value adding life’s skills of relevance to employers. For more information about cadets’ societal contribution and employability preparedness , please read the University of Northampton report (2021) What is the social impact and return
on investment resulting from expenditure on the Cadet Forces in the UK.

Exhibiting employers and organisations

Military

• 150 RLC
• Army Careers
• RAF Careers
• RAF NRSW
• RMR Merseyside
• RN Careers
• HSY ACF

Blue Light Services

• Humberside Fire & Rescue
• Humberside Police
• South Yorkshire Police
• West Yorkshire Police
• YH ROCU
• Yorkshire Air Ambulance

Engineering and manufacturing

• Accu
• Adler & Allan
• Awaking Giants
• BSL UK (BAE Systems)
• Evotech
• GEV Wind Power
• Iprosurv
• Magtec
• Network Rail
• Pro-Pak Foods

Training and Education

• Askham Bryan College
• Blackpool and The Fylde College
• East Riding College
• High Ropes Builders
• KH Plant Training
• Leeds Trinity University
• National Horseracing College
• VetPartners
• York College

Retail and Travel

• Arla Foods
• Asda
• Skipton Building Society
• Viking Arms

Public Sector, Media, Professional Services

• City of York Council
• Eboracum Security
• One SC Media
• Tetra Tech
• Wakefield Council
• Wilkin Chapman LLP

Construction and Environment

• GVA Trees
• Morgan Sindall PS
• Wainwrights

Logistics and Space Design

• Associated British Ports
• Banner UK
• DEA Aviation
• Project Group
• The Pink Link

Healthcare

• Love in Care
• Mid-Yorkshire NHS Trust
• Saint Catherine’s Hospice
• Springfield Healthcare
• Step into Health /NHS Employers