RSPB TO OPEN NATIONAL SIXTH FORM CONFERENCE

Posted 24 June 2002

THE FOURTEENTH ANNUAL National Sixth Form Conference at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, will be officially opened next month by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

Mr Andy Simpson, Head of Education at the RSPB, will deliver the opening address of the conference, on the relevance of the RSPB to the land-based industries, including farming. His audience will include around 200 16 - 18 year old students, all interested in a land or food-based career.

Richard Jopling, Conference Organiser for Harper Adams, said: "I believe that this gives us a real opportunity to bring closer the next generation of professionals in the land-based industries - the future custodians of our countryside, and the RSPB."

This year's conference, titled 'A New Generation for Regeneration' offers prospective Higher Education students the opportunity to gain specialist advice on the Top Twenty rural careers - a chart that includes subjects as diverse as production agriculture, applied biology, engineering, journalism, retail management and veterinary science.

During the conference, which takes place on Monday, July 8 and Tuesday, July 9, students will sample university life including an overnight stay in a Hall of Residence.

Representatives from universities and careers organisations across the UK will attend to offer specialist advice while a program of workshops and activities will give students the chance to try out courses for themselves.

Richard Jopling commented: "We want prospective Higher Education students to know what is available nationally. Just choosing a course that is right for you is a very difficult decision when there are so many courses available up and down the country.

"However, in the end there is a course that is just right for every particular individual and we want the students to be able to make that important discovery for themselves."

But will there be jobs for all these students at the end of their courses and is it right to call the conference 'A New Generation for Regeneration?'

Richard Jopling has no doubts: "These days you have just got to get into Higher Education. The Government is determined to drive forward a programme of 50 per cent participation in Higher Education for all our young people.

"If you want to be in the top 50 per cent and have a graduate career, you must grab the opportunities that are there for you. So yes, there will be good jobs for the sort of student who comes on this conference and goes on to take the right course for them."

The National Sixth Form Conference takes place on July 8 and 9, 2002 and is open to students from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland aged 16 - 18. Places cost just £20 per person, but two students booking together will pay a total of just £30.

For further information or to book, please contact Sally Bishop, Conference Administrator, on +44 (0) 1952 815 265 or E-mail: sbishop@harper-adams.ac.uk but hurry, there are only a few days left to book!

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