Apprenticeships

Secondary school students in Havering had a first hand look at the kind of apprenticeships that are available in Havering as part of last week's National Apprenticeship Week.
Eight secondary schools along with Havering College of Further & Higher Education took part in hosting apprenticeship information sessions during where 358 students were shown a DVD that had been produced by Creative & Media students from Havering Sixth Form College.
The DVD was a presentation of apprentices in Havering working in a variety of different roles. The apprentices described their experiences of learning and earning, as well as commentary from employers, parents and training providers about the benefits of apprenticeships.
The road shows combined staff from the London Borough of Havering, Connexions, Havering College of Further & Higher Education and Capital Gold Trowel and seven BT apprentices who spoke to the students about their own apprenticeship journey.
The Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Michael White visited Marshalls Park School in Romford during the road show, where he spoke with students about the opportunities that apprenticeships can offer them.
He said: "Apprenticeships are an excellent way to help young people develop skills and move from school into the workforce as they provide study and on the job training. Apprentices are highly regarded by employers because the skills they learn are skills for life".
Havering College's Employer Engagement Manager Nigel Hogg said:
"With fierce competition for jobs and the increase in university fees, more and more young people are looking to vocational routes where they can learn marketable skills. An apprenticeship allows a young person to gain recognised qualifications while they work.
"The road show and our own parents' information evening were very well received and as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting apprenticeships and apprenticeship training, we will shortly be hosting a business conference to encourage employers to take on apprentices."