Virtual Apprenticeship Assembly held by South Devon College a great success
More than 600 people registered for a Virtual Apprenticeship Assembly recently to mark National Apprenticeship Week.
South Devon College held the interactive live streamed assembly in collaboration with the Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Careers Hub, TDA, Devon and Cornwall Training Provider Network and South West Apprentice Ambassador Network.
The fully-interactive event offered school students, parents and adults interested in apprenticeships the opportunity to find out more about the possibility of earning while you learn.
Ben Pountney, Head of Apprenticeships at South Devon College explained that the college currently has 1700 apprentices and 80 different apprenticeship sectors on offer.
“I am in a really privileged position to work closely with so many apprentices and I get so passionate about apprenticeships as I see the amazing opportunities they present for our students. We have students who go to work in the most glamourous locations doing the most glamorous roles and it’s great to see.”
Across the hour long live stream event various experts offered their advice and insight on how apprenticeships can boost employability skills.
Everyone was welcomed to the virtual event by Jaqcui Hobson from Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Careers Hub who talked through the various aspects of an apprenticeship.
Sharron Robbie MBE from Devon and Cornwall Training Provider Network explained how there are more than 600 different routes into an apprenticeship.
“An apprenticeship offers a job and on the job training. You can gain a university level qualification and not go to university. You have no debt and you are working in the industry and earning a salary.”
She also went on to explain how apprenticeships have changed over the years.
“There are apprenticeship opportunities in many different jobs now including doctor, paralegal, aerospace engineers and quantity surveyor.”
Tatiana Fernandez, Social Value Manager and regional PR coordinator, and Luke Driver, who is on the Site Management traineeship programme from The Vistry Group explained the different apprenticeship opportunities across the construction sector and the salaries that people can expect to earn.
Apprenticeships can open up many new and exciting opportunities as Chrissy Santic Linford, Operations Manager of Evolution Marine described. Chrissy started her career on a marine engineering apprenticeship.
“I have lived and worked in 40 different countries and the opportunities in the marine sector can be so varied from engineering, carpentry, deckhand, and working on a variety of vessels.”
Lisa Watson from Bovey Castle talked about the many apprenticeship opportunities across the hotel and hospitality sector. Roles include greenkeeper, land based engineer, beauty therapists and chefs.
Devon Partnerships Trust employs almost 4,000 people of which 5.18% are doing an apprenticeship. Pauline Chapman from the Trust talked about the different apprenticeship roles across health and care in hospital and across the community.
Pennon Group, parent of South West Water currently employs 300 apprentices and aims to employ 1000 by 2030.
“It’s an ambitious target,” said Emily Pearson.
Cyber security apprentice, Rebecca Ridler, told the event how after doing her A levels she didn’t want to go to university.
“Working at Synoptix I get hands on experience in the industry. I am in my fourth year and I have already been promoted internally to a project engineer. My aim is to be a systems engineer and then do a masters apprenticeship.”
Rebecca says she would recommend doing an apprenticeship as it’s a great way to upskill yourself without going to university.
“Being an apprentice you get hands on knowledge from the company that you’re working at and you also get a better insight into the industry you are working in.”
A recording of the Virtual Apprenticeship Assembly is available on Apprenticeships - South Devon College
For more information on becoming an apprentice, email apprenticeships@southdevon.ac.uk
