Bournemouth and Poole College is set to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (5th to 11th February) by hosting its free, annual Apprenticeships Unlocked event on Thursday 8th February.
Taking place at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, between 4 – 7pm, Apprenticeships Unlocked will provide students with access to over 30 different apprenticeship opportunities to help guide and inform the next step in their career. Employers from a variety of industry sectors will also be on-hand to answer questions and offer guidance. Businesses represented at the event include Caterpillar Marine, Toni & Guy, Dorset Healthcare, the RNLI, Sunseeker International and Curtiss Wright. College staff will be available to discuss the benefits and enrolment process of the apprenticeship schemes.
Phil Sayles, Principal at Bournemouth and Poole College, said: “The College is the largest provider of apprenticeships in the area thanks to the thousands of successful partnerships we have established with businesses throughout Dorset. An apprenticeship is a great route to gain industry experience and study towards a nationally recognised qualification, while earning a wage.
Our Apprenticeships Unlocked event is an exciting opportunity for students to discover just how many opportunities they have access to in the region, and for local businesses to gain access to a pool of talented young people.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming guests and experiencing the community coming together to support and nurture the next generation of employees.”
Michelle Wilkinson, Early Careers Lead at Sunseeker International, apprenticeship partner and 10-time exhibitor, added: “Local careers events such as these are an essential first step in the recruitment process. It’s important for us to promote the Sunseeker apprenticeship programme to individuals who may not have considered apprenticeship training as a career option. We want potential apprentices to meet us face-to-face and chat about the opportunities available to them and this is a great way to engage with them. We have been exhibiting at school fairs and careers events with Bournemouth and Poole College for the past 10 years. Many of these events are held at the college and recently at hugely successful events like Apprenticeships Unlocked. We have seen a significant uplift in interest since attending these events.
“Sunseeker offers multiple technical pathways as part of the apprenticeship programme, including carpentry, composites, marine mechanical engineering and marine electrical. These are taught over four years up to level 3 of the recognised National Standard qualification in partnership with Bournemouth and Poole College. Training commences at the highly regarded Marine Centre and Fulcrum College. Having a local training provider allows us to tailor our training needs and build a very successful business partnership. There are currently 184 apprentices employed at Sunseeker, enrolled on either a level 2 or 3-course and upon graduation, our apprentices will settle into a permanent role within the business. There are great opportunities for post-graduate apprentices to progress into leadership roles or upskill for progression throughout the business.”
The College works with more than 2,000 businesses across Dorset in sectors including accountancy, catering and hospitality, digital marketing, and engineering. Apprenticeship applications at Bournemouth and Poole College are open all year round, with start dates dependent on employers’ vacancies.
To book a free place at Apprenticeship Unlocked please visit:
https://www.thecollege.co.uk/apprenticeships/i-want-become-apprentice/apprenticeships-unlocked