Hundreds of students from Swindon and Wiltshire are being urged to explore the scores of apprenticeships offered by local employers.

Several hundred students attended an Apprent-T-Fest event at Wiltshire College & University Centre’s Trowbridge campus on Friday (February 2).

The event followed a similarly successful event at the Salisbury campus on Wednesday,  January 24 attended by pupils from local schools.

It will be followed by two more events at the New College campus in Swindon on Tuesday, February 6 and the Chippenham campus on Thursday, March 7.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Kyeisha Adams, of Mitie facilities management service team, explaining apprenticeship schemes. Photo: Trevor Porter 70547-12 Kyeisha Adams, of Mitie facilities management service team, explaining apprenticeship schemes. Photo: Trevor Porter 70547-12 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The events are being held to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week which is taking place from February 5 to 11 2024 and have been organised in partnership with the Swindon & Wiltshire Careers Hub.

They are supported by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership and are being run in conjunction with local schools.

Martin Reeves, Wiltshire College & University Centre’s business development manager, said: “The event at Salisbury was really successful.

“The students are primarily Year 10 pupils from local schools and are looking at the apprenticeship opportunities on offer from large employers.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Students listen to speakers at the Appren-T- Fest at Wiltshire College and University Centre. Photo: Trevor Porter 70547-2Students listen to speakers at the Appren-T- Fest at Wiltshire College and University Centre. Photo: Trevor Porter 70547-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The students were treated to a motivational presentation from guest speaker Junior Saunders, of the Junior Inspiring Education charity in Bristol.

More than 300 students from John of Gaunt School, the Clarendon Academy and St Augustine’s Catholic College in Trowbridge and St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon were invited to the Trowbridge campus event.

They were able to browse the opportunities on offer from the likes of the British Army, Great Western Railway, Mitie, Selwood Housing, Westek Technology and Wiltshire Council.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Royal Tank Regiment’s Kyle Slaymaker outlines the reaction test to student Herbie Stewart at Wiltshire College and University Centre in Trowbridge. Photo: Trevor Porter 70547-4Royal Tank Regiment’s Kyle Slaymaker outlines the reaction test to student Herbie Stewart at Wiltshire College and University Centre in Trowbridge. Photo: Trevor Porter 70547-4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

In the evening, a second event from 4.30pm-6.30pm, gave parents, guardians and carers the chance to attend with young people interested in the apprenticeships on offer.

National Apprentice Week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy

The 17th annual week-long celebration will showcase and celebrate apprenticeship employers, training providers, assessment organisations, apprentices, parents, schools, colleges and universities.

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is “Skills for Life” and Mr Reeves says that anyone aged 16-50+ can apply for an apprenticeship provided they can find an employer willing to take them on.

“At Wiltshire College and University Centre, we work with over 900 employers and deliver over 60 apprenticeships across a wide range of sectors to around 2,000 students. Our dedicated teams are on hand to provide you with the support that you need."

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Trina Moran outlines engineering apprenticeship opportunities with Cereal Partners at Staverton to Georgia Brewer and Gemma James. Photo: Trevor Porter 70547-6Trina Moran outlines engineering apprenticeship opportunities with Cereal Partners at Staverton to Georgia Brewer and Gemma James. Photo: Trevor Porter 70547-6 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The aim of National Apprenticeships Week is to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and employers to develop a workforce with future-ready skills.

The week-long celebration of apprenticeships, taking place across England, will showcase the impact apprenticeships can have on communities, local businesses and regional economies and how they all benefit from the impact of apprenticeships.

An apprenticeship is a real job that includes a government-approved training scheme and involves at least six hours-a-week of paid time spent on off-the-job training.

You have to be at least 16 to start an apprenticeship but there is no upper age limit. Apprenticeships are not just for school-leavers but also for graduates and older people looking to change career, return to employment after a break from work. Some employers also use apprenticeships to upskill their existing staff.

As an apprentice, not only would you earn a wage while training towards a nationally-recognised qualification, you would also work alongside experienced industry professionals.

When you’ve finished your apprenticeship, you can progress into work, a degree-level apprenticeship or onto university.