School leavers at St John’s given vital advice about apprenticeships

It is vital that school-leavers know more about apprenticeships – and further education – as they start seeking jobs and training for future careers, students at St John’s Marlborough, have been told by an expert in the field.

David Willett (pictured alongside John bowkett, Lucy wiltshire and Tom Daubney), director of the award-winning PDS Group, based in Fyfield, which is a national apprenticeship consultancy, visited the school to spread the message in a talk to sixth formers in their final year, all part of National Apprenticeship Week.

This aims to raise the profile of apprenticeships amongst employers, individuals, teachers, parents as well as the media as teenagers consider their options for the future, including further education.

“We feel that many schools overlook the very real benefits of apprenticeships when advising their sixth formers on career paths,” said Mr Willett.

“Apprenticeship Week is all about promoting the value of apprenticeships and letting people know how wide the range and opportunities are today.”

“There is real choice out there and an apprenticeship can give you a job, a qualification and very good career start with many top companies.”

“We always find there is huge enthusiasm and interest amongst students when apprenticeships are explained to them and we hope that more schools will follow the St John’s example.”

Mr Willett spoke to a large group of students, including 16 year-old Tom Daubney, who is applying to take up an apprenticeship after he completes his sixth form studies.  Accompanying Mr Willett was former St John’s student Lucy Wiltshire who left school in 2009 with three A-levels.  She explained how she had intended to go to university but instead she successfully applied for an apprenticeship at Vodafone, a choice which she has never regretted.

Later in the week, St John’s students  took part in a Skills Tasters day held in Chippenham, where more than 30 employers offered them the chance to have hands-on experience of a range of careers, and also to learn about the options open to them when they leave school.

Other activities during the week included a visit from Swindon College to discuss apprenticeship options for post 16 students and individual interviews for students interested in apprenticeships, with Connexions, the careers advice service due to be axed in spending cutbacks.