Recruitment day boosts apprenticeship numbers
Over 150 young people in Warrington aged 16-24 years flocked to the January Apprenticeship Recruitment Day at Warrington Collegiate to talk to employers and college staff about the opportunities and vacancies on offer across a wide range of Apprenticeships from Accountancy to Vehicle Maintenance.
Nearly half of those who came put in an application and are now anxiously waiting to hear whether they have been successful. Others came to find out about apprenticeships, what they were about and what they had to do to be taken on as an apprentice. The college had staff on hand to give information about the recruitment process and computers with support for young people to perfect that all important CV.
“The first event was very successful.” said Phil Kerr, Business Development Manager at Warrington Collegiate, “With so many employers identifying potential apprenticeships and taking them forward to interview we have decided to run them regularly. Apprenticeship Week (6-10th February) seemed a perfect opportunity, and with more vacancies available we are running the second one on Friday 10th February at Warrington Collegiate. “
Employers were enthusiastic about the day. “It was an excellent opportunity to meet potential apprentices, said Penny Syers from Warrington Primary Health Care Trust, “and match them with vacancies within the Bridgewater Community NHS trust.”
Sarah Nevinson from Brooksons Ltd in Warrington was looking for an accountancy apprentice and adds, “The process has been extremely rewarding and has given us the opportunity to demonstrate how the college and local employers can work together to ensure that students have a better understanding of both the practical skills and academic qualifications needed to meet the requirements of the local labour market.”
Gavin Segal, Training Adviser at Warrington Collegiate, explained, “Apprenticeships are available in both large and small businesses and the benefits are huge. Young people bring fresh ideas and new skills with them as well as contributing to increased productivity and a competent and committed workforce”
Apprenticeship take-up figures obtained from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills show that youngsters from the North of England are 70% more likely to enrol on an apprenticeship than those in London and the South East. Warrington came sixth in the rankings showing that locally young people value apprenticeships and consider them a successful career route.
The Apprenticeship Recruitment Day is just one of the activities that Warrington Collegiate is planning for Apprenticeship week from 6-10th February. The week is a national campaign organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) to celebrate the talents and skills of Apprentices. It will see apprentices, employers, providers and all those involved with Apprenticeship programmes come together to celebrate the value of apprenticeships.
The college has added reason to celebrate its young apprentices as it has two national winners in competitions to showcase Apprenticeship work. 19 year old Ashley Terron, from Appleton, won Bronze in the UK Skill Build finals and is waiting to hear whether he will be selected for Team GB at the WorldSkills Championships in Leipzig, Germany, 2013. After 3 years at Warrington Collegiate. Ashley is now studying at the University of Salford for an HNC in Construction and Property Management. 22 year old plumbing apprentice from Higher Whitley Warrington, Kristian Poyner won the Heating Engineers, installers and Plumbers (HIPS) UK apprentice of the Year 2011 and has now started up his own business.
