This week, we have celebrated National Apprenticeship Week 2024 with a range of activities happening throughout college. Our Employer Engagement and Partnerships Officer, Janet and the wider Careers & Employability team had arranged a week full of opportunities for students.

We had a range of employers and apprenticeship providers in our careers department throughout the week. Students were able to meet with the employers and discuss potential apprenticeship opportunities: 

• AJ Bell - Investment / Tech Degree apprenticeships
• GM Learning Provider Network - Apprenticeships in Greater Manchester
• CMS - Solicitor Degree apprenticeships 
• MMU Degree apprenticeships
• The Apprentice Academy - Accounting, Business and Digital apprenticeships
• Moore and Smalley - Accounting apprenticeships
• NHS Pennine Care - Clinical, Technical and Business support apprenticeships
• The Growth Company - Various apprenticeships opportunities

On Thursday, we also welcomed various employers into college to conduct mock interviews with students. Mock interviews are an invaluable activity for ensuring students who applying to apprenticeships, employment and further education are prepared for any future interviews. A huge thank you to John Clark from Mercado and Governor of ASFC, Jane O'Connell from the Atlanta Group and Governor of ASFC, Paul Rippon from The Together Centre, Marcus Gill from Glossop Financial Services and trustee of Stamford Park Trust, Dawn Lee from Stamford Products Ltd and Umar Anwar from Brother UK for conducting these mock interviews.

The week's activities were a great success, with many students taking advantage of the opportunities available to them. Employer, John Clark who participated in the mock interviews commented:

"I was genuinely impressed by the students' approach and their eagerness to listen and learn. The team at Ashton should be massively proud of the young adults you are sending out into the future workplace."

A huge thank you to all employers who have visited us this week to work with and inspire our students! 

Many of our students have received offers for higher and degree apprenticeships post college and we look forward to see more successes over the next few months.