National Apprenticeship Week 2015

A series of events and promotions took place at Riverside College last week to raise awareness of apprenticeships, current vacancies, and student success stories. This was all in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week 2015, an annual event which praises the positive impact apprentices have on businesses and individuals.

The week began with a talk in the College’s Centre Stage Theatre to current year 11 students from various local schools. The presentation, by Apprenticeships Recruitment Co-ordinator Angela Woodward, provided employment and careers advice and support. The event also marked the launch of four prestigious apprenticeship vacancies at the Halewood branch of GETRAG Ford Transmissions.

An additional recruitment event also took place on Thursday 11th March, for Riverside College Engineering Students looking for opportunities to progress into apprenticeships at electrical goods firm Glen Dimplex, when they complete their current programme of study this year.

The College also worked with employers and apprentices to create a series of videos displaying a variety of apprenticeship success stories. Videos were posted via social media channels throughout the week, each one following an apprentice or employer at the workplace.

Employers featured in the videos included GETRAG Ford, popular Widnes hairdressing salon, Sophisticutz, and the Widnes branch of electronics manufacturing company, Norcott Technologies.

Sophiticutz owner, Lauren Pierce, was a former apprentice who went on to own her own business. Lauren has now recruited an apprentice of her own, former Saints Peter & Paul Catholic College student Molly Leedam, providing a new generation the great career opportunities she received.

Angela Woodward said, “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to start a career in your chosen sector, we have supported over 200 people into apprenticeships this year alone. National Apprenticeship Week 2015 has been a great success, we hope we have inspired many more students to consider an apprenticeship.”

Riverside College have apprenticeships available in brickwork, business administration, carpentry and joinery, customer service, engineering (craft/technician level), hairdressing, health and social care, catering and professional chefs, IT professionals, motor vehicle and plumbing. If you are interested in doing an apprenticeship or would like to hire a motivated young person to your workplace, please contact Angela Woodward by email at apprenticeships@riverside.ac.uk, call 0151 257 2175, or visit the website at www.riverside.ac.uk.
 

The first video of the week not only launches National Apprenticeship Week for Riverside College but also launches four fantastic new apprenticeship vacancies in Mechanical Engineering in this global company, by Human Resources Manager at GETRAG Ford Transmissions, Alan Seeley.

The video shows how current apprentice Bradley Stead was selected by Getrag after gaining high grades in his maths, English and Science GCSE’s and impressing his employer and admissions at the College at his recruitment and assessment day. He is now a valuable member of the mechanical and maintenance team.

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This second video of the week features popular Widnes hair salon ‘Sophisticutz’.

Owner Lauren Pierce discusses her journey from an apprentice with Riverside College to owning her own business. We also speak with current apprentice at the salon, Molly Leedam, about her reasons for choosing to do an apprenticeship and the positives of her decision.

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The third video of the week features Marketing and Admissions apprentice at Riverside College, Danielle Jones.

Danielle discusses her decision to do an apprenticeship, her daily responsibilities and her future career goals.

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In part four of our success story videos, we speak with former Engineering apprentice and current HNC student, David Brick.

David discusses his journey from working as an apprentice to the management role his is currently in at his workplace, Vista Optics Ltd. He also discusses his time at Riverside College and why other people should consider an apprenticeship.

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The fifth video of the week features the Widnes branch of Norcott Technologies, who employ 6 apprentices in different departments.

#NAW2015 #GetInGoFar #100ReasonsWhy