As part of National Careers Week, Year 10 students took part in an engaging Digital Skills Showcase, welcoming guest speakers from local organisations and businesses.

The event, commissioned by Basildon Borough Council, focused on employability within the digital sector. Students heard from George and Amanda from The Consortium, representatives from NatWest, and Councillor Jessica Power alongside Careers Advisor George Miranda.

The session explored digital career pathways, interview preparation and professional communication. Students received practical advice on preparing for online interviews, writing professional emails and confidently presenting the best version of themselves. They were also encouraged to reflect on their own unique skills — from coding and website design to content creation and social media — and to understand the value of both soft and hard skills in the workplace.

A particularly impactful session from NatWest focused on online safety, highlighting how to spot scams, understand digital footprints and stay safe online. Real-life examples helped students recognise warning signs such as money mule schemes, cryptocurrency scams and online “catfishing”.

The showcase was highly interactive, with students asking thoughtful questions and engaging in discussion throughout. Overall, the event helped to unlock potential, build confidence and inspire students to explore future careers in the growing digital sector.

“The digital workshop covered online safety, scams and the skills we need to stand out during a job interview. The interview tips really helped me understand what I should be prepared with and how to present myself confidently.” Janna.M

“The workshop taught us how to avoid scams and how to prepare properly for future job interviews. We learned useful tips about what employers look for and how to improve our chances of getting a job.” Ali.R

“They gave real examples of people who have been scammed online and lost a lot of money. We learned that text messages might not always be from who you think they are, and how scammers try to get bank details.” Michael.I