Neil Wrigley
A huge growth in the number of Apprenticeships has been seen at Weston College as young people look for alternatives in a tough job market.
Applications for Apprenticeships went up by 113 per cent at the College last year and interest continues to build as 2012 gets underway.
February 6 sees the start of National Apprenticeship Week, and to mark the occasion Weston College is hosting two events to introduce young people to the idea of paid, on-the-job training.
An ‘Apprentice Shop’ is being opened in Weston’s Sovereign Centre on Saturday February 4 and will stay in business until February 11, offering information, advice and free taster sessions in catering, textiles design, beauty therapy and more.
In addition, there is an Apprenticeship Career Open Evening at Weston College’s Knightstone campus on Wednesday February 8, between 5pm and 8pm. College staff and employers will be on hand to give advice on a wide range of options.
Weston College is the biggest facilitator of Apprenticeship programmes in the region and its Business and Enterprise Centre (BEC), based at the South West Skills Campus on Locking Road, Weston, was set up to provide businesses with relevant and flexible training programmes.
Helen Booker, Apprenticeship Manager at BEC, said: “The number of applications for Apprenticeships has risen considerably in the last year. We still have a high number of school leavers interested, but we’re also finding that people are looking at Apprenticeships as an alternative to A Levels or a degree.
“Businesses, too, are seeing the benefits. They can mould a young person to the company’s needs and put them at the heart of the business. They’re also retaining them after the Apprenticeship is finished – more than 80 per cent of our apprentices are offered permanent jobs.”
The College offers a very wide programme of Apprenticeships to people aged 16 and over. Naturally, school-leavers are very well represented in this area but apprenticeships can be taken up by anyone, especially adults looking for a new career via a training programme.
The College’s Apprenticeship programme can be studied at Levels 2, 3 and 4 and learners can progress through these levels while continuing to work in their chosen career. Apprentices develop the majority of their skills in the workplace, working alongside experienced and skilled staff.
Neil Wrigley is now the Head Chef at the prestigious Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cadbury House hotel and spa in Congresbury, south west of Bristol. Neil completed a Level 3 Hospitality Supervision Apprenticeship with Weston College while working at the restaurant. The former Backwell School student, who lives in Weston-super-Mare, immensely enjoyed his Apprenticeship and says he learned lots of new skills.
He said: “I would encourage people 100 per cent to do an Apprenticeship. It gives you an insight into the industry, you learn about the rules and ethos of an organisation and the experience could lead to a rewarding career. We have an apprentice here in our kitchen at the moment and he is brilliant. He is keen to learn and his enthusiasm keeps everyone interested and positive. I have told him that when he finishes he will be given a permanent position here.”
