More than 80 employers are taking part in a careers event for Brighton and Hove teenagers next month despite the recession.
The event – called Your Future Your Choice – is being held at Brighton Racecourse on Wednesday 17 November from 9.30am to 6pm.
It will provide information about local job opportunities, apprenticeships and ideas for study either at university or a further education college.
Brighton and Hove City Council has organised the event which is aimed at 14 to 19-year-olds.
The council said: “They will get answers to their questions first hand from more than 80 businesses and community and voluntary sector groups, all sharing their expertise in everything from business, finance and IT to hair and beauty, retail, sport and leisure and care services.
“Among the many interactive stands, construction company Costain will be inviting young people to get involved in constructing giant pyramids next to their stand.”
Costain regional director Phil Risbridger said: “This event is a great chance for us to raise awareness and challenge young people’s perceptions of the construction industry.
“Civil engineering, for example, is a highly technical area – there’s a lot more to it than bricks and cement mixers.”
Sussex Police will show young people the different forensic techniques used by their Scientific Support Branch.
These include fingerprinting, examining crime scene marks and also modern scientific advances such as chemical techniques used to view evidence that is naked to the human eye.
Portslade Community College’s assistant principal Johnie Davies has described the event as one of the key dates in the calendar for young people.
He said: “It’s amazing that so many experts are all gathering in one place to offer their advice and first hand experience of what different careers can involve.
“For young people in this city it really is an opportunity not to be missed.”
Council leader Mary Mears said: “This event will be interactive, exciting and fun.
“It’s the perfect place for young people to find out what they need to know before making those all important career decisions.”