Schools, colleges and community

The Leicester Employability Day

Wednesday 16 April 2025

School students in a playground, high-fiving each other.The Leicester Employability Day 2025 (LED2025) is the fourth in a series of annual inspirational events that aim to address the underachievement of young people, especially Black boys and young men. The event gives young people (aged 13 to 22) and their parents or carers an opportunity to interact with professionals from the Black community, and a cohort of exhibitors from the public and private sectors, to discover pathways to success and to develop their talents to make viable transitions into adult life and careers.

This free to attend event will be hosted in the Sir Bob Burgess Building on the University of Leicester main campus.

This event is not suitable for children under 13. All attendees under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Why attend?

  • Discover pathways to success in a wide range of employment sectors
  • Be inspired by and interact with professional Black role models
  • Engage with leading community groups who help to prepare young people to become confident learners as they hone their talents
  • Discover what private, public and third sector firms offer students aged 16 plus, university undergraduates and graduates
  • Experience themed workshops and panels of experts - for great hints and tips

Who’s the event for?

Young black people of African, Caribbean and Dual Heritage aged 13-22 and their parents or carers.

Register to attend

If you are interested in attending this year’s event, sign up by completing a short registration form.

Programme

  • 9.45am - 10.00am: Arrival and registration, Sir Bob Burgess Building (SBBB), main foyer
  • 10.00am - 3.30pm: Meet the exhibitors – employability exhibition, SBBB foyer 
    • At the exhibition, you will have the opportunity to speak with Black professionals from a wide range of industries and employers.
  • 10.00am - 11.50am: Meet the role models session (1), SBBB foyer
    • This session is a fantastic opportunity to learn from achieved Black role models from a wide range of employers and industries.
  • 10.40am - 11.30am: Employability skills workshop (1), SBBB room 0.02
    • Take part in a range of interactive activities to develop your skills for the world of work. Please sign up ahead if you’re interested in this workshop, as places are limited.
  • 11.50am - 12.30pm: Experts panel (1), SBBB room 0.03
    • Learn from Black professionals in a wide range of industries and gain valuable insights into their careers. Please sign up ahead if you’re interested in this panel session, as places are limited.
  • 12.30pm - 2.30pm: Meet the role models session (2), SBBB foyer
    • This session is a fantastic opportunity to speak and network with achieved Black role models from a wide range of employers and industries.
  • 1.20pm - 2.10pm: Employability skills workshop (2), SBBB room 0.02
    • Take part in a range of interactive activities to develop your skill set for the world of work. Please sign up ahead if you’re interested in this workshop, as places are limited.
  • 2.30pm - 3.10pm: Experts panel (2), SBBB room 0.02
    • Learn from Black professionals in a wide range of industries and gain valuable insights into their careers. Please sign up ahead if you’re interested in this panel session, as places are limited.
  • 3.15pm - 4.00pm: Main campus tours, SBBB foyer
    • Learn more about student life with one our friendly student ambassadors, who will take you on a tour of our University of Leicester main campus.

Role models, experts and employers

Student in a school uniform, smiling at the camera.Keep checking back to learn more about which role models, experts and employers will be joining us on the day. In 2024, our exhibitors included:

  • East Midlands and Manchester Airports
  • Grant Thornton
  • KPMG
  • Network Rail
  • Pepsico/Walkers Crisps
  • Howes Percival Solicitors

Role models and expert panellists came from a broad range of companies and institutions, including:

  • AtkinsRéalis Group Inc.
  • Avanade
  • British Standards Institution (BSI)
  • BuildEco
  • Capital Group
  • EY
  • Fujitsu
  • KPMG
  • HMCTS
  • Howes Percival
  • NHS
  • University of Leicester.

Directions to Sir Bob Burgess Building

  • See a map of the Sir Bob Burgess Building.
  • If you are arriving on foot there are a number of entrances directly off Welford Road, which are signposted.
  • Leicester Railway Station is located approximately a 25 minute walk from Sir Bob Burgess Building. Or you can catch the 48 bus from Stand ED outside of the train station to University Road stop. From there you can walk to Sir Bob Burgess Building within 5 minutes.
  • Although we encourage using public transport to be kinder to the environment, car parking is available nearby at the Freeman’s Common multi-storey car park.

Helpful information

  • Our food outlets on campus are cashless. Our nearest outlet to Sir Bob Burgess Building is Freeman’s Kitchen, located just outside. You are also welcome to bring a packed lunch to this event.
  • There are a variety of water stations on campus to fill up water bottles. Please ask a member of staff if you’re struggling to locate one. We suggest bringing a reusable cup to get a 15p discount on hot drinks at the Freeman’s Kitchen.
  • The multi-faith prayer room is available in the adjacent building, Freemen’s Reception. Please let a member of staff or student ambassador know if you cannot locate this room.

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