Plantsbrook School Apprenticeship Week – Leaders from local businesses gave up their time to help students understand the benefits of apprenticeships.
The school, which is part of the Broadleaf Partnership Trust, appealed for local firms to get involved with National Apprenticeships Week at the beginning of February – and were blown away by the response.
Students from Years 7 to 13 were treated to a week of special assemblies, where they heard straight from employers and from former students now doing apprentices.
Plantsbrook Careers Advisor Sarah Dullea said: “We were very grateful to all the businesses and individuals who stepped forward to give the students the benefit of their knowledge about apprenticeships.
“We are lucky to have a great network with employers, colleges and training providers who are always ready to help our students.
“The assemblies meant students could learn key information about apprenticeships – what they are, where to look for them, who provides them and most importantly how much you can earn.
“For our younger year groups, it was probably the first time they had been given detailed information on what an apprenticeship is, so it was hugely valuable to them.”
Plantsbrook School Apprenticeship Week supported by local firms
Companies and organisations who took part in the assemblies included engineering firm Marvellous Manufacturing, Moor Hall Hotel and Solihull College Apprenticeship Centre. Former Plantsbrook student Fred Perks, who is now employed at engineering and environmental firm The Waterman Group, also gave Year 10 pupils a fascinating talk on his experiences as an apprentice.
Mrs Dullea said: “More and more students are choosing the apprenticeship route, and there are a number of reasons for this. Students are no doubt attracted by the idea of being able to ‘earn while they learn’, but apprenticeships also give young people valuable on-site transferable skills that employers are looking for.
“There is also more funding available to support businesses who want to take on apprentices, so more opportunities are available.”
Next, Plantsbrook will be organising a week of assemblies featuring local employers, to mark National Careers Week from 4 – 8th March.
The week will begin with a Careers Fair, with students able to meet employers, colleges, apprenticeship training providers and universities, while Year 11 students will also take part in mock job interviews with local employers on the same day.
Plantsbrook headteacher Kerensa Neal said: “Students have a broad range of opportunities to choose from when they leave Plantsbrook, so it’s important that they get the information they need to make informed decisions on the best route for them, whether that’s college, university, an apprenticeship or something else.
“Events like National Apprenticeship Week allow us to link up with local businesses to provide really valuable insights that the students can relate to.
“We are very grateful to all the people who gave up their time to support our students.”