During National Apprenticeship Week we have been visiting local employers to learn more about the wide range of apprenticeships available to our students.

Our first excursion was to Howden Peter Brotherhoods, where 6^th Form students were invited to ask questions about the different roles available and discovered the qualifications and skills required to secure a job within the organisation. Representatives from a number of departments gave informative presentations, followed by an innovative competition, which asked every school’s team to put together a steam turbine using the laminated visuals of a variety of parts and a graph to make the mathematical calculations.  The engine had to be made at the most cost effective price and, of course, meet the specification. The competition was followed by an excellent buffet lunch and a site tour.

Next we were off to the AG Careers event at the Lincolnshire Showground.  A group of Y10 students had the opportunity to speak to an extensive number of exhibitors who all offer jobs within the agricultural, horticultural and food sectors. 

The event also included a number of workshops and guest speakers, including Dyson Farming and LincHigher, who were on hand to provide information relating to creating a C.V. and interview tips, alongside discussing their roles within the sector. Some of our Y10s have already managed to secure a work placement within these sectors and this was good preparation for the experience, which takes place in May. Exhibitors included Anglian Water, Branston Ltd, Dyson Farming, the Environment Agency Siemens Energy, Taylors Bulbs, Moy Park, Frontier Agriculture and Ladies in Pigs to name just a few.

Sophie commented; “The people on the stands were very welcoming and they liked my ideas about the environment. It was a really interesting and worthwhile trip and it’s given me a lot to think about.”

Our final trip during the week saw us visiting Baker Perkins in Peterborough.

Y13 students found out more about the range of apprenticeships available to them, mainly in the manufacturing area this year, and had an opportunity to speak to two apprentices who joined last September. An excellent presentation was followed by a tour of the site to see at first hand some of the amazing machinery being designed and constructed for the food and industrial sectors. There was also the chance to try a few samples of some of the end products!

We would like to thank each organisation for hosting our students, who were a credit to the school,  and for providing such comprehensive information, which will support students with their decision making as they consider their next steps. In addition, we would also like to extend our thanks to the East of England Agricultural Society for their generous contribution towards the cost of transport, which was very much appreciated.

You can learn more about apprenticeships by clicking on these links Amazing Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship parents packs (amazingapprenticeships.com) and by visiting the individual organisations’ websites.

Linda Taylor

Careers Lead