EMCCA Careers Hub Connects Educators with Boots to Explore Career Pathways, during National Careers Week

To mark National Careers Week, Boots welcomed 15 teachers and careers professionals from schools and colleges across the region to an inspiring Teacher Encounter, delivered in partnership with the EMCCA Careers Hub (East Midlands Combined County Authority). The event, hosted at Boots’ D90 Building, offered educators a unique opportunity to explore the breadth of career pathways available within one of the region’s largest employers.

The EMCCA Careers Hub supports over 175 education settings across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and acts as a vital bridge between education and employment, helping young people understand opportunities and pathways into the world of work. Its mission, delivered in partnership with The Careers & Enterprise Company, is to ensure young people gain the knowledge and confidence they need for future career success.

Exploring Opportunities at Boots

The morning opened with introductions followed by a Discover Boots session, offering an insight into the wide range of careers the organisation provides, from pharmacy and retail to digital, supply chain and corporate roles. Attendees also learned about entry routes, including apprenticeships and Boots’ graduate programmes, and the essential skills young people need to succeed.

Connecting Education With Industry

A lively Career Pathways Q&A enabled educators to explore progression routes, recruitment insights and how industry and education can collaborate more closely to prepare young people for meaningful futures. Teacher Encounters like this one play an important role in helping educators bring real‑world industry knowledge back to the classroom, strengthening connections between learning and employment. This aligns with the Careers Hub’s wider commitment to helping schools and colleges meet the Gatsby Benchmarks and improve careers outcomes for young people.

Turning Insight Into Action

The day concluded with a reflective session where teachers considered how to embed what they had learned into their curriculum, before taking part in a behind‑the‑scenes tour of the D90 site. Each attendee created a pledge outlining how they will share insights with colleagues and students ensuring the impact of the visit extends far beyond the day itself.

By bringing educators directly into the workplace, Boots and the EMCCA Careers Hub are helping to enrich careers education and ensure that students benefit from current, real‑world insight into the opportunities available to them.