Newcastle College has delivered its biggest and most successful Industry Week to date, with record numbers of students and employers coming together for an ambitious programme of careers-focused activity.
Taking place between Monday 2 March and Friday 6 March 2026 as part of National Careers Week, Industry Week saw thousands of students engage in activities designed to bring career pathways to life and strengthen their understanding of the world of work.
Across the first four days alone, 96 employers took part in eight activities, with more than 400 students attending keynote sessions and even more joining panel discussions. Careers fairs proved popular, attracting around 2,500 students across three days, while smaller group workshops provided targeted opportunities to develop key skills.
The week opened with a keynote from Dominic Thompson, founder of Unloc, who challenged students to unlock their potential and think differently about their future. This was followed by further keynote sessions including Chief Inspector Angela Hewitt from Northumbria Police and entrepreneur Amy Washbourne, owner of Bloom Digital, each sharing their career journeys and insights.
Panel discussions brought together employers from a wide range of sectors to explore topics such as routes into industry and how to build long-term, sustainable careers. Students heard directly from professionals across engineering, digital, hospitality, public services and the creative industries, gaining valuable insight into the skills and attributes employers are looking for.
Alongside this, careers fairs running across multiple days gave students the opportunity to connect directly with employers, explore opportunities and build confidence in discussing their future pathways. Interactive sessions delivered by organisations including the British Army also added a hands-on dimension, helping students to develop teamwork, communication and leadership skills.
The week concluded with a dedicated National Highways takeover day on Friday 6 March. 35 employers and 90 industry professionals from across the National Highways supply chain gathered at Newcastle College to deliver live demonstrations, showcase specialist vehicles and equipment, and offer practical insight into careers within the sector. The day provided a unique, real-world experience for students and highlighted the breadth of opportunities available within infrastructure and highways.
Industry Week also reflected the strength of collaboration between the College and its employer partners, with staff and industry working together to deliver a large-scale programme that spanned every faculty and curriculum area. The activity directly supports the NCG Guarantee, which gives students access to additional experiences, resources and opportunities beyond their course to help them develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for their future careers. The scale and success of this year’s programme reinforces Newcastle College’s commitment to ensuring every student is career-ready, equipped with the knowledge, skills and connections to succeed.
Ronnie Burn, Head of Careers at Newcastle College, said:
“Industry Week has been a true festival of careers, opportunity and inspiration, bringing together students and employers in a way that has exceeded expectations across every faculty of the College.
Over five days, students have engaged with an incredible programme of keynote speakers, employer panels, careers fairs and hands-on experiences, helping them to better understand the world of work and the opportunities available to them.
This week has once again shown what is possible when education and industry come together with a shared commitment to student success, and we are incredibly grateful to all of our partners who made it happen.”
Watch the video below to see some of the highlights from the week!