More than 400 would-be apprentices packed a Wolverhampton roadshow aimed at helping them find work with good quality training.
Within the first hour of The Real Apprentice opening on March 4th more than 250 young people had been through the doors seeking advice on their options after leaving school.
And for automotive experts GTG, who provide motor giants Arnold Clarke with all their apprentices, the event proved very successful. The company, which last year invested in a state-of-the-art training centre in Wednesfield, saw more than 60 hopefuls register for places on their apprenticeship programme which puts them straight into employment.
One of them was 16-year-old Michael Magee, a Year 11 pupil at St Thomas More School in Willenhall. He said: “I am interested in an engineering or automotive apprenticeship and this event has been really helpful in finding out about the right apprenticeships for me.”
Julie Chalmers, from GTG training, added: “It is the first Real Apprentice we have been to and I very impressed with the high quality of applicants we have. I have been inundated with applications for our apprenticeship places which give school leavers a place with an employer from the day they start.”
The annual Real Apprentice (TRA) showcase is moves on to Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell. Its aim is to encourage students in Years 11, 12 and 13 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.
Chris Luty, BCTG director, said: “The Real Apprentice showcases have been helping young people for many years now. The event has a very good reputation among training providers, colleges and employers who take part and give excellent advice and guidance to young people and their parents about current career opportunities. I would urge any school leaver who wants to consider all their post 16 options to come along to their nearest event.”
The Real Apprentice showcase pulls up at The Village Hotel, Castlegate, Dudley, on March 6th, West Bromwich Albion FC, March 11th and Banks’s Stadium Walsall on March 13th. All events run from 2-7.30Tpm and are free.
Anyone who wants to find out more about being a Real Apprentice can call free on 0845 873 3855 or go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk <http://www.apprenticeships.