I am the Future Careers Manager for Minerals Matter, driving forwards the careers agenda across the sector to ensure that the industry and range of careers within it is understood by young people.

Minerals Matter brings together the minerals products sector to work together and tackle issues shared by the industry around recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of people. We do this by raising awareness of the variety of rewarding careers in the sector to young people while they are still in education.  This will help them understand how important minerals are to everyday life, and how they can be part of the workforce.

My career started after university at the University of Derby in Administration and Marketing roles for both University of Derby Corporate and the Leap Ahead Lifelong Learning Network.

I then moved into a CSR role at East Midlands Airport and was responsible for developing the onsite education centre, as well as projects and initiatives involving the local community and airport employers through a volunteering scheme.

More recently I have been worked as an Enterprise Coordinator in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Careers Hub, supporting schools and colleges in North Derbyshire with careers education and connecting education to local businesses and industry.

I am passionate about inspiring young people and opening their eyes to the huge range of careers available and am excited to talk to you today about the work we are doing to ensure that young people get the opportunity to explore the minerals industry and all it has to offer.