Apprenticeship Employer Fair held to mark National Apprenticeship Week

The fair, held during our February Open Event, was a hive of activity all evening as our employment partners marked National Apprenticeship Week by answering questions and passing on information about current and upcoming vacancies from their stalls.

As a College, year on year, a growth in the appeal of the work-based-learning apprenticeship provision has been noted, with many learners seeing the benefits of the hands-on work experience an apprenticeship provides, whilst also gaining a professional qualification.

Melanie Semmons, who works in HR at Thirsk-based business, National Tube Stockholders, said:

“We have been working with York College & University Centre to recruit apprentices for over seven years. It’s great to see an apprentice’s enthusiasm and to recruit individuals who are passionate about their work.

“We have a particular apprentice who we have seen develop through Level 3 and 4 studies and now on to a degree apprenticeship.

“Investing time into our apprentices helps our organisation grow and allows us to tailor their learning on-site to our business needs. We are passionate about providing the time and resources into our future workforce.”

Spa Manager Kelly Nicholson, of the Verbena Spa at The Feversham Arms in Helmsley, currently has four apprentices employed with her and explained:

“Seeing our apprentices’ confidence grow from when they start their studies to when they complete them is just amazing.

“If we invest in them, they invest in us. It works both ways; the better we can train them the more we get back. It’s a great feeling to be contributing to the next generation of beauty therapists.”

Jenni Geldart, People Advisor at Bettys and Taylors Group, who are currently recruiting for an Apprentice Chef/Catering Assistant shared her thoughts on apprenticeships, saying:

“Apprenticeships give our employees an opportunity to learn new skills outside of the workplace and bring them back in to support both their and others development.”

Marketing Manager of Pinnacle Conservation, Stephanie O’Bee said she is “passionate about getting more people involved in heritage conservation” and added:

“We’re able to take people on at different levels and train them up. We can then mould them into what we need and what we feel they need. It’s great to be able to invest in apprentices and their future.

“We initially began by taking on stonemasons and joiners in 2020 and now we also take on bricklayers and roofers.

“To other employers considering taking on an apprentice, I’d say go for it, it will be the best thing you can do!”

York College & University Centre fabrication and welding apprentice Ben Parker, joined his employer Severfield, to talk with prospective apprentices about his experience:

“My apprenticeship has been really good. I’ve received great training and I’m hitting all my targets.

“Working for Severfield has been a great experience because I have a mentor who is a fully qualified tradesman. I’ve learned so much from the people I work with.

“In the future, I’d love to work on oil rigs as I could combine my skills and qualifications with my love for scuba diving.”

Jill, Early Careers Manager at Severfield, attended with apprentice Ben to discuss future apprenticeship opportunities and explained:

“Our relationship with York College & University Centre goes back many years. I’ve been working for Severfield for seven years and the partnership goes back even further than that.

“We get the opportunity to bring apprentices into our organisation who we can train to have the skills, knowledge and behaviours that we require. This puts us in a great position as an organisation as we can grow our talent pipeline.

“Apprenticeships allow us to recruit employees who will complete their studies with strong work experience as well as an academic qualification.”