Hundreds of teenagers flocked to a Wolverhampton careers roadshow where they got the chance to sign up for apprenticeships.
Wolverhampton City Council apprentices Ryan Taylor and Hayley Tanser with Councillor Phil Page
The annual event held at Molineux attracted more than 40 training providers able to advise this year’s school leavers about apprenticeship options.
Councillor Phillip Page, Wolverhampton City Council’s cabinet member for Schools, Skills and Learning, toured the popular event meeting current apprentices and having a go at some of the skills on offer.
The aim of the free showcase, which is also being held in Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley, 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 provided interactive ‘have a go’ stands.
Councillor Page said: “ This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to come along to a friendly event and get expert advice about starting a career and how to look to the future.”
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.
Holly Padmore, aged 17, (pictured) is an apprentice at Evergreen Hair Salon in Claregate, Wolverhampton.
The former Codsall High School student, said: “I am really enjoying my apprenticeship and it is good to take part in this event so I can talk about my experience to other young people who are about to leave school.”
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 Real Apprentice showcase pulls up at 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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