Some of Plymouth’s biggest and best-known employers returned to this year’s Launchpad Live two-day future careers event, showcasing the breadth of opportunities available locally and promoting the city’s key growth sectors.
Hosted by YMCA Plymouth in partnership with Plymouth City Council at the Plymouth Life Centre on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 October 2026, Launchpad Live aimed to inspire young people, raise aspirations, and increase awareness of the wide range of career choices and progression pathways available.
More than 50 exhibitors took part, including Babcock International Group, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth Community Homes, Plymouth City Council, Princess Yachts, Kier BAM, Willmott Dixon, Maritime UK South West, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Team Plymouth, PL1 Events, Devon Chamber of Commerce, Vospers, HM Armed Forces, National Marine Park, City College Plymouth, Greenlight Safety and Training, University of Plymouth, Discovery College, Building Plymouth, Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group, Careers Plymouth, and Skills Launchpad Plymouth’s Youth Hub.
Launchpad Live showcased Plymouth’s key employment and growth sectors to more than 3,000 Year 9–13 students who attended from local schools. Through interactive zones and the latest immersive technology, young people explored careers across defence, marine, engineering, and advanced manufacturing; health and care; construction and the built environment; tourism, hospitality, and retail; technology, business, and creative services; the Armed Forces; and emerging green and sustainability career opportunities.
The event was also open to the public on Tuesday afternoon, giving residents and jobseekers considering their next step the opportunity to meet local employers, training providers, and support organisations under one roof.
Councillor Tess Blight, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “This fantastic event gives thousands of young people the chance to meet employers, learn about exciting career opportunities and better understand the investment and growth sectors that are creating ambitious employment opportunities in Plymouth.
“It is really important that we help employers and training providers, including further and higher education institutions, to showcase these opportunities directly to our young people. This helps them to make better-informed choices about their GCSE options and post-16 next steps and gives them a clearer understanding of the pathways available to them.”
Joseph Easterbrook, who secured a Level 6 apprenticeship in Electro-Mechanical Commissioning Engineering at Babcock after visiting a previous event, shared how valuable Launchpad Live was for his journey: “After attending Launchpad Live last year by recommendation, I was inspired learning more about Babcock as a major employer in the city. I recommend attending this showcase careers fair, to use the opportunity to meet local employers and explore more about the career pathways available in Plymouth. This event gave me access to resources and certainly set me up for success.”
Tom Lavis, CEO of YMCA Plymouth, said: “YMCA Plymouth was delighted to work in partnership with Plymouth City Council to bring Launchpad Live back to the city.
“We wanted to give young people the opportunity to meet local employers, discover the wide range of careers available, and see the exciting opportunities that exist right here in Plymouth. We’re incredibly proud of how the event has grown and grateful for the support from local employers and training providers who helped make it such an inspiring experience for everyone who attended.”
Launchpad Live will be returning again in 2027. Learn more and get involved here.
