Teenagers across the Black Country are being urged to visit a series of free road shows promoting apprenticeships where they can sign up for work with good quality training.

For Sylwia Jedrusiak, 16, from West Bromwich, her apprenticeship has lead to a new role doubling up as a translator as well as business administrator

The annual Real Apprentice (TRA) showcase, which attracts hundreds of young people, is being held at venues in Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, in March.
The aim of the free showcases is to encourage this year’s school leavers to consider the many thousands of apprenticeship places available to them as part of a push to get more young people into employment with training.

The Real Apprentice showcase is organised by apprenticeship experts BCTG, based in Oldbury supported by World Class Skills who are providing a series of interactive ‘have a go’ stands.

Current figures show that in 2011/12 more than 126,300 under 19-year-olds gained an apprenticeship in more than 40 different occupations across the West Midlands.

For Sylwia Jedrusiak, 16, from West Bromwich, her apprenticeship has lead to a new role doubling up as a translator as well as business administrator.

With Polish now Britain’s second language Sylwia is in great demand at the Birmingham College of Innovation, in High Street, West Bromwich where she has landed an apprenticeship thanks to The Apprenticeship Works scheme run by BCTG.

Chris Luty, BCTG director, said: “We have been running The Real Apprentice showcases for many years now and each year we find more and more young people are coming through the doors because they realise the value in getting good training alongside employment.

“The event has a very good reputation among training providers and colleges who take part and give excellent advice and guidance to young people and their parents about current career opportunities.”

The Real Apprentice showcase pulls up at Molineux, Wolverhampton on March 4, Brierley Hill Civic Hall, on March 6, The Public, West Bromwich, March 11 and Banks’s Stadium Walsall on March 14. All events run from 2-8pm and are free.

Anyone who wants to find out more about being a Real Apprentice can call free on 08000 321222 or go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk

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