Willmott Dixon, MBDA, McLaren and Anglian Country Inns among 28 individual organisations to have met with students in Hertfordshire to mark National Apprenticeship Week.
Bim Afolami MP for Hitchin and Harpenden opened the event on Friday 10th February, which saw 56 local students spend time with businesses actively recruiting for apprenticeship starts in sectors including hospitality, finance, media, engineering, recruitment, and construction.
Apprenticeship positions ranged from opportunities in business & administration, marketing and customer service, mechanical engineering, accountancy and a degree apprenticeship in quantity surveying, site management and estimating, with each employer given the platform to address a small number of students, pitch their opportunities, and answer any questions.
Organised by Amazing Apprenticeships in conjunction with North Hertfordshire College’s apprenticeship arm Hart Learning & Development, the event is the first in Hertfordshire and something which will be rolled out for other students and employers to benefit from.
“Amazing Apprenticeships exists to help raise awareness of the benefits and opportunities of apprenticeships across England. What better way than to bring together local schools, students and employers to match real roles to young people who will be actively seeking employment?” said Founder and Director of Amazing Apprenticeships, Anna Morrison CBE. “It has been a brilliant morning witnessing so many students open up to the real opportunity of joining an apprenticeship scheme when they leave school or college.”
The event had huge impact, with many of the employers commenting on how well prepared and engaged the students were.
“Truly an eye-opening event, it’s amazing how many students turned out” Shelley Wylds, Customer Support Specialist, Holewise.
“I really enjoyed the interaction with the students, students were even approaching us even after the networking” Beata Balut, Office Manager Herts at Home.
And the power of the event was not lost on the students or their teachers. Students eagerly engaged in conversations with employers and asked thoughtful questions.
“It has been such an eye-opening event, it was amazing to meet so many local employers and find out about their opportunities” Isaac, student with Hitchin Boys School.
“From just speaking to my students, they have all said what an amazing event this has been. The fact they get to meet local employers face to face has really opened their eyes to the incredible apprenticeships that are on offer.” Gio Newbery, Outreach Co-ordinator – 6th Form Co-ordinator, The Thomas Alleynes School.
Hertfordshire-based employers interested in participating in future Big Apprenticeship Breakfasts should get in touch with the team at hello@amazingapprenticeships.com