National Apprenticeship Week from 9 – 15 February brought to light growing excitement around apprenticeships, with events running from Monday through to Friday. These events pushed students to think more ambitiously and realistically about their futures, considering options they may have been yet to explore. It was made clear just how many pathways now exist beyond the traditional university route with an array of events put on. The likes of the Careers Fair, Year 10 Speed Networking and the opening of the Apprenticeship Panel all massively added to the insightful week. It cannot be understated how useful understanding how important the choices you make now are on your future success.
The Careers Fair on Wednesday was a true highlight, with more than thirty organisations filling the Wynter Bee Theatre. Students from Years 7 to 13 moved between stands which represented everything from law and finance to engineering, creative industries and the armed forces. One Year 10 student said, “I didn’t realise how many different roles existed inside one company. It made me think differently about what I might want to do.” Another added, “I always thought apprenticeships were mainly for trades, but now I know you can do them in finance, tech, even law.” The atmosphere was busy, purposeful, and highly engaging. With students collecting information, asking questions, and in many cases discovering industries they had never knew existed, It is safe to say the event was a success.
Thursday’s Year 10 Speed Networking event brought a different kind of challenge. In short conversations with visiting professionals, students had to introduce themselves and ask leading questions as they moved from one volunteer to the next. Despite initial nerves, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. One student said, “During the first couple of rounds I really started enjoying it. Alongside understanding new roles, my highlight was correctly guessing business correct!” Another reflected, “It made me realise how many routes there are after GCSEs. It’s not just one path everyone follows.”
Volunteers praised the format too, describing the students as interested, thoughtful, and “confident under pressure.” The students and careers team were very grateful for the inspiring insights the volunteers gave.
Across the week, the message stayed consistent: Apprenticeships are not a lesser option, but a competitive and increasingly attractive route into skilled careers. This idea was well promoted with the combination of keynote speakers, tutor-time sessions and the Wider Careers Programme.
National Apprenticeship Week gave students a clearer sense of direction and an improved understanding of how their interests might develop into future opportunities.
by Fraser B (Y12 Scholar)
