Apprenticeships are competitive and sought after, yet despite this each year Durham Sixth Form Centre students manage to secure places with some of the biggest regional employers. Our young people are eager to get out into the workforce, start earning and have their employer pay for their higher education.
The Careers, Progression and Aspirations Team hosted a selection of presentations and networking opportunities with employers and ex-students who have progressed into apprentice positions. The career pathways covered throughout the week included Paralegal, Lab Scientist, Project Management, Chartered Management, Economist and Quantity Surveying.
Nearly 200 students heard representatives speak from national and international organisations including Clifford Chance LLP, BT, Johnson Matthey and the Darlington Economic Campus; who all highlighted how their companies support apprentices and the benefits they offer young people. We also welcomed back to the centre Dylan Bowater, Callum Linnett, Jack Laidler, Leo Strange, Lucas Easter and Regan Blakey; all of whom started higher or degree apprenticeships last September and they offered students insight into their roles and advice with the application processes.
Within their presentations, some employers such as Bowmer and Kirkland and Johnson Matthey took the opportunity to share new live apprenticeship vacancies. With the application deadlines for their degree and higher level apprenticeships, the companies encouraged students to begin searching for and applying to apprenticeships as soon as possible.
Finishing the week, Ask Apprenticeships completed mock interviews with students applying to work based learning. We received positive feedback about all who participated and the maturity and preparation of these students shone through.
All students in the sixth form have the opportunity to access support in searching and applying for apprenticeships, along with interview and assessment day techniques via the Careers, Progression and Aspiration Team, and should contact Miss Hasselby in the first instance.
