Youngsters get hands on at National Apprenticeship week (From Dorset Echo)

Youngsters get hands on at National Apprenticeship week

12:00pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News By Rachael Burnett

HUNDREDS of youngsters got hands on at a West Dorset college for National Apprenticeship Week.

Around 450 students from across the county came to Kingston Maurward College yesterday to find out what employment opportunities are on offer with local businesses.

The Have a Go event gave Dorset schoolchildren in Years 10 and 11 the chance to speak to training providers and colleges offering apprenticeships in the area.

There were also taster activities in horticulture, agriculture, equine, animal care, sport, floristry and business.

Harry Amos, aged 16, studying public services at Kingston Maurward, said he is hoping to go into a career in the police.

He said: “I want to go into the police so I came along today to see what options there are.

“It’s really good here because the police aren’t recruiting at the moment so it’s good to see what else I could do, it’s always good to have a different skill.

“I’ve found it really useful to see what options there are that I could fall back on.”

Public services teacher at Kingston Maurward Jim Kenderdine said: “A lot of my students are looking at the apprenticeships system and this has been a really good opportunity for them to see a different perspective on what’s out there.

“Hopefully it will give them some guidance on where they want to go next year.”

A number of local businesses were at the event to discuss their apprenticeships with the next generation of professionals.

Jodie Rudd, of JPMorgan, pictured left, said: “This is the first year we have offered apprenticeships and it’s something new and exciting.

“It’s not just apprenticeships we are offering but also work experience and trying to engage with local schools to meet their needs.

“There are a lot of talented students who for whatever reason decide university isn’t for them and we want to have an offering for them.”

The event was one of a number across the county as part of sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week, which is a celebration of the hard work of apprentices of all trades.

Esther Baker, of Kingston Maurward College, said: “The event was a great success for our college and the other providers showcasing their apprenticeships.

“It was a rare opportunity for potential apprentices to seek balanced advice for their future from a broad range of sources.

“Plus it has been great fun with the ‘have a go’ hands-on activities including the rowing machine from the active leisure and learning apprenticeship, and Trigger, the mechanical horse, which is used as part of the Equine Apprenticeship.”

Ismail is cut above the rest with trade

A FORMER barman undertook an apprenticeship to turn his career around.

Ismail Stewart, 20, pictured, started the NVQ level two course in hairdressing eight months ago, and is due to qualify next year.

His employer Shaun Hennessey, of Blondz, said: “Ismail is really excelling and the extra effort he puts in is evident.

“That is despite also having to work an evening job to pay his rent.”

He added: “His age means he is working with stylists his own age and learning various techniques from them.”

Ismail, who works in the Dorchester branch of the salon, is undertaking his training through Professional Hairdressing Training LTD.

He said: “I did an apprenticeship because I thought I was getting older, and wanted a job where there was going to be training, but also did not want to lose the income I was getting from working in a bar.

“I originally studied sport at college, but I’ve always had an interest in barbering, and decided to have a go.”