Judging the National Careers Challenge: A Career Garage Perspective
Being invited to join the judging panel at the National Careers Challenge finals was both an honour & an eye opening experience. From the energy of the Barbican stage to the creativity of the students, it was a day that reminded me why supporting the next generation matters so much.
This summer, I had the incredible honour of joining the judging panel at the Annual National Careers Challenge finals, held at the Barbican Centre in London. The event brought together students from schools across the UK & China, all tasked with tackling real world business challenges set by some of the country’s biggest employers.
Rebecca Moloney Career Garage and Michael Dyer Managing Director and Co-founder, The Inspirational Learning Group.
Real world challenges for young people
I’ve attended the finals before as a guest, but sitting on the judging panel this year gave me a whole new perspective. The energy in the room was electric, & I was blown away by the determination, creativity & confidence the students displayed.
The challenge, organised by The Inspirational Learning Group in partnership with NatWest Thrive, asked teams to develop solutions for genuine business projects set by organisations including British Airways, Wickes, Air Products UKI, HelpBank & the Oli Leigh Trust. These weren’t theoretical exercises. The briefs reflected real commercial issues, which pushed the students to think strategically, work as a team & present their ideas under the kind of pressure you’d expect in the workplace.
What struck me most was how well they rose to the occasion. Presenting in front of a panel of industry experts in a setting that felt like a “mini Dragon’s Den” could have been overwhelming, but instead it seemed to bring out the best in them. The clarity with which they explained their ideas, the professionalism in their delivery & the passion behind their projects left a lasting impression on me.
Being a judge was no easy task. We were asked to evaluate each presentation on originality, feasibility & delivery, & the standard across the board was incredibly high. Every school brought something unique to the table, & it was clear that hours of preparation & hard work had gone into every project.
The event also featured entrepreneur & mentor Simon Squibb, who has become a regular speaker at the finals. His story of building businesses & his message about embracing risk & failure as part of success resonated with both the students & the judges. I always find his talks inspiring, & this year was no exception.
Why events like this matter
For me, being involved in the National Careers Challenge is about more than simply judging a competition. It’s about giving young people the platform to test their skills, discover their strengths & build the confidence they’ll need as they move into their future careers. Watching them take on such complex tasks reminded me just how important it is to nurture & support the next generation.
A perfect fit with Career Garage
At Career Garage, I work with individuals, businesses & educational organisations to unlock potential & open doors to new opportunities. Being part of an initiative like this felt perfectly aligned with what I do every day helping people see what’s possible for them & equipping them with the tools to move forward.
I also want to acknowledge the role of the organisations that make this event possible. Without the commitment of employers like NatWest Thrive, British Airways & others, students wouldn’t get access to such meaningful opportunities. Their involvement shows just how powerful it can be when business & education come together.
Looking back on the day, I feel incredibly grateful to have been part of it. It was inspiring, humbling & a reminder of why I started Career Garage in the first place, to support people in building futures they can be proud of.
