Local students find out how apprenticeships can kick start their career
Chesterfield College students and pupils from schools across Derbyshire had the opportunity to meet local and national employers offering exciting apprenticeship opportunities last week.
The Apprenticeship Careers Fair, held at the college during National Apprenticeship Week, brought students and employers from a range of different sectors together.
Students found out more about the type of careers they could start or develop with an apprenticeship and employers promoted the range of apprenticeships they offered in everything from business to healthcare and engineering to the armed forces.
Engineering apprentices, Warren Feast and Aaron Leivers (right), enjoyed speaking to students about the benefits of their apprenticeship with precision engineering company, Nasmyth based in Pinxton. They also highlighted the practicalities of earning and learning.
Warren said: “For me the best way to learn is to be hands on. An apprenticeship gives you the chance to learn in real situations day in day out. Spending time at college and learning on the job gives you the best of both worlds.”
“I never imagined that doing an apprenticeship would give me the knowledge and the confidence to talk to people about aerospace engineering. It’s really good to be able to speak to people about what their interests are and whether an apprenticeship would lead them on the right path.”
Chesterfield-based drinks manufacturer and owners of Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Hotel, Global Brands, currently have 8 apprentices and they are looking for 3 more apprentices in varying hospitality and business functions.
Andrea Houghton, Talent Acquisition and Development Manager, said: “We’re here today to highlight the opportunities there are to develop a career with us. We offer apprenticeships from level 2 all the way up to level 6. Our apprentices come into a real job doing vital business functions working alongside experienced professionals. They learn how the business works and our goal is to develop and keep that talent.”
Construction students Leon Humphries and Bradley Edge both secured a trial with Dalton Roofing at the Careers Fair.
Leon said: “The event was a great opportunity to find an apprenticeship. I have been trying to find the right one for a while so it was good to be able to speak to Dalton Roofing today. I am looking forward to starting a trial next week and hopefully getting started with my apprenticeship soon after that.”
Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of the Chesterfield College Group said: “It is vital to encourage young people to consider apprenticeships as a route to building a successful career. Providing our students and school pupils with the opportunity to meet employers and other apprentices at the careers fair is a fantastic way to highlight the significant benefits an apprenticeship can offer. It was wonderful to see so many employers talking enthusiastically about how they need the talent and skills of our young people in their organisations.”
“I am delighted that we can play a part in helping young people establish a career and help employers develop the workforce they need through apprenticeships.”
To find out more about the huge range of apprenticeships on offer visit www.learningunlimiteduk.com or call the Apprenticeship Hub at Chesterfield College on 0345 8501055.
