Fencing for the future: inspiring students in Selsey

How do you inspire students to take up a career in fencing?

You get talking to them about what working in the fencing industry actually means.

This is what we were up to recently at the Selsey Academy Careers Fair.

What does a career in fencing mean?

When it comes to a career in fencing, it’s important to be clear that it’s not just about traditional garden fencing. It goes way beyond that!

The scope of the industry, and what working in it involves, is bigger than most people think. A lot bigger. Not least in terms of the opportunity to work on high-profile projects where innovation is part and parcel of the job.

What did we share with students at the careers fair?

Armed with this message and lots of info on our fencing work, our Managing Director, Danny, headed off to the Selsey Academy Careers Fair, ready to talk to students, share his experience, offer an insight into the industry and challenge perceptions.

How did it go?

Giving the RAF and the Army a run for their money is no mean feat, but Danny had a busy day telling students about Knight Fencing projects at Longleat Safari Park, Legoland, Rolls-Royce and Goodwood Motor Circuit, as well as our work with a velodrome and various racecourses.

This included the spectator fencing project with Goodwood Motor Circuit that bagged us the UK award for 2024 Industrial Fencing Contractor of the Year.

These kinds of projects test our fencing metal. Every time. And that’s the great thing about them, and about working in the fencing industry. Each project has its own unique challenges that require innovative solutions. This is what it means to work in fencing and meet client fencing and access system needs.

How was Danny’s day? What did the students think?

Danny came back to the yard talking of a really rewarding day – lots of meaningful conversations, genuine curiosity (and surprise at the scope of the industry and its potential) and real interest in apprenticeships.

He said that chatting about the industry and the work it involves, and sharing our high-profile projects, really engaged some students. He felt that actually talking to students in person made a real difference when it came to getting this information over and making connections.

A future in fencing: coming soon to a careers fair near you!

When it comes to a career in fencing, after talking the talk (here and at the Selsey Academy Careers Fair!), we are walking the walk:

Knight Fencing will be at the next Chichester High School careers day in 2025.

Look out for us, and come over for a chat – we’ll inspire you about fencing!