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STUDENTS were told to aim higher in their future careers after a visit from an international company.

Sixth form students at Carr Hill Sixth Form Centre in Kirkham were visited and inspired by Veolia, an Infrastructure company, to promote the business of water and utilities management and open up a variety of career opportunities.

Led by Construction Engineer Mrs Janice McGurrell, 200 students learnt about careers in design, project management and construction amongst others in a bid to show students what they could go onto when they leave sixth form.

Mrs McGurrell explained how her company had recently led the Grameen Veolia Water Project to help build a clean water system for some of the poorest people in Bangladesh after many of them were contracting cancer from Arsenic found in their running water.

Now, Veolia are supporting a group of students at the Royal Avenue School who are spending four weeks building a water and irrigation system in the country of Laos in South East Asia. Whilst there they will help to create a successful water system in the same way that Veolia created one for Grameen.

Mrs McGurrell said: “At Veolia we are supporting the students here at Carr Hill due to the social aspect of their trip.

“The students are trying to get clean water into Laos which is very similar to the clean water project that Veolia launched in Grameen, Bangladesh.

“As a responsible company we often look to get involved in social projects like this one, in the UK and abroad, and we feel that the students at Carr Hill Sixth Form will be carrying out a hugely important and valuable help for the citizens of Laos.”

The importance of companies such as Veolia visiting Carr Hill Sixth Form is incredibly important as it opens up many doors for students that may not want to carry on to university.

Assistant Head teacher Paul Wallace said:

“At Carr Hill Sixth Form Centre we are aware that many of our students would like employment in the area of Construction/ Engineering. All too often these areas are overlooked as University is perceived to be the priority.

“Not only are we trying to highlight career opportunities for our students but we are also exploring that there are many exciting opportunities for them in the construction, engineering and utility areas.

“Veolia are also playing a big role in supporting Carr Hill Sixth Form students in their efforts to both visit and carry out a sustainability project in Laos in Summer 2013.”

The expedition to Laos will be in summer 2013 and the students are continuously working hard to raise the £21,000 they need to get there by holding a variety of events including Curry nights, Clarins make up evenings and afternoon teas.

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