National Apprenticeship Week - which ran until 11 February - was celebrated in style at New College Swindon.
The week kicked off with the launch of The Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology’s Mindful Apprentice podcast series, designed to explore and support the mental health and wellbeing of students doing an apprenticeship.
The podcast cab be found here.
On Tuesday, Appren-T-Fest, hosted by New College Swindon at Steam, saw over 1000 visitors through the doors.
The daytime session focused on 300 students from local schools, such as Lydiard Park Academy and Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College, to learn first-hand what an apprenticeship is and why they are such a great alternative to the traditional classroom-based progression routes.
The event offered a ‘Meet the Employers Zone’ where guests had the opportunity to chat with over 40 employers from across different sectors that offer apprenticeships.
Rachel Gear, Head of Business Development and Employer Partnerships said: “This event offers local people a great way to get an insight into life in industry, to ask any questions, and to learn more about the opportunities employers offer.
"We’re delighted that some employers have brought their apprentices along with them today to inspire visitors by talking about their experience and the opportunities being an apprentice has given them.”
The event also featured New College Swindon’s Careers Extra Zone, an area where students could find out about work experience opportunities, the art of CV writing, how to prepare for interviews, and how to complete applications.
There was a real buzz around the event when the doors were opened to the general public from 4pm – 7pm, with over 600 visitors, almost double last year’s 360 visitors.
Later in the week, it was time for some glitz and glamour as New College Swindon’s Apprenticeship Awards took centre stage.
This was a chance for the hard work and dedication of apprentices in each sector to be recognised, the awards culminated in the presentation of the Overall Outstanding Apprentice of the Year to Shalbie Mumford, Assistant Healthcare Practitioner Apprentice. Guests were treated to a sit-down meal hosted by the catering and hospitality students.
Reflecting on the week’s events, Matt Butcher, Chief Commercial Strategy Officer, said: “All our apprentices make a unique contribution to New College Swindon and to their individual employers.
"The Apprenticeship Awards honour the huge impact these learners have had on their peers, employers and our local community.
"The apprenticeship offer at the College is one of the best in the region, offering over 30 different programmes to 800 students. We are delighted to have the opportunity to showcase this throughout National Apprenticeship Week.”
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