Over 2,000 people braved torrential rain on their journey to attend Bournemouth and Poole College’s huge annual Apprenticeship Expo event at The Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth, on Thursday, 9 February. Visitors could speak to 34 businesses such as Sunseeker, Kier and Yunex Traffic about the roles they have on offer, and got advice from college staff about how apprenticeships and other courses could help them build brilliant careers.
The event attracted school pupils from Years 9 to 13 as well as adult career-changers. Even some pupils aged just 11 were already thinking about their futures.
Attendees at the event include A-Level student Nevaya Abraham, 16, who said she had: “pretty much almost made up her mind tonight” about her decision to study for an apprenticeship in Engineering at Bournemouth and Poole College. Another attendee, Ollie, who was 14 and studying at BCS (Bournemouth Collegiate School), came to learn more about how the apprenticeships and the college services work in tandem. He said Apprenticeships Unlocked was “very good.”
Colten Care, which has a number of career progression routes, said that the event provided them with the opportunity to highlight just how many apprenticeship options they could offer Bournemouth and Poole College students. They mentioned that one student, aged 11, had expressed an interest in a career in HR already and was considering her options. Colten Care currently run a Nursing Associate programme – a Level 5 Higher Education course – and they have at least six apprentices currently. Becky Morgan, Learning and Development Business Partner commented: “We’ve been networking with others and connecting up with students interested in our jobs. It’s been a really interesting night, so far, with many different types of roles requested.”
The range of companies present spanned lots of different careers and included Toni & Guy, Dorset Healthcare, Oyster Yachts and Kier.
Kier is constructing the new multimillion pound building on the college’s Bournemouth Campus. They have just launched the ‘Kier Construction Careers Hub’ and are delighted to showcase opportunities to college full-timers through apprenticeships. Matt Wilkes, senior project manager at Kier Construction said: “Apprentices are vital to so much of the work we do at Kier and will play a huge part in the future of the construction industry. We’re very proud of our new Kier Construction Careers Hub at Bournemouth and Poole College and look forward to showing many more potential apprentices just how many options there are for them to explore.”
Phil Sayles, Principal of Bournemouth and Poole College said: “The motivation of young people, supported by their parents, to find out about apprenticeships, was truly humbling, even more so on a night of truly awful weather!”
“And we are so grateful to the companies who attended, looking for great candidates to employ. Our college’s role is to bring potential apprentices (who can be any age) and employers together, and to provide training, funding and support which enable success, qualifications and great careers.”
“There really is a great story in the BCP and Dorset areas about apprenticeships. Our college is one of the best and biggest apprenticeship providers nationally, and we are helping more and more talented people, who sign up with strong GCSE grades.”
He added: “Within a few years, of earning and learning, they will find themselves qualified, experienced in their trade, embedded in a company and building a career, with no student debt. After that, new options like degree apprenticeships or other higher study supported by their employer may beckon.”
Apprenticeships offer students the opportunity to earn a wage whilst studying towards a qualification. Bournemouth and Poole College offers over 40 apprenticeship standards ranging from Level 2 to higher and degree apprenticeships.
For more information about our apprenticeships you can see them at the following link: https://www.thecollege.co.uk/apprenticeships/i-want-become-apprentice or visit http://www.thecollege.co.uk and search ‘apprenticeships’ in the top right hand side of the page.