Exeter College apprentice delivers regional Apprenticeship Expo event
South West Apprenticeships Ambassador Network and Exeter College are hosting the Apprenticeship Expo 2017 for the third year running, as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
The Apprenticeship Expo is the only event of its kind in the South West dedicating itself to only showcasing employers that support Apprentices.
The Apprenticeship Expo is taking place at Exeter College’s Sports Hall on Queen Street on Thursday 9th March 2017 between 2pm and 7pm. The event is part of the tenth annual National Apprenticeship Week which takes place from 6-10 March 2017, with hundreds of events expected to take place across England.
The Week, which is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, is designed to celebrate Apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the economy.
Employers who employ Apprentices have been invited to be part of the Expo, the biggest and the best Apprenticeship event in the south west. They can access the next generation of talent from across Devon and show them why their business is the one to work for.
Among the employers already signed up to the event include the South West Water, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Midas, Gregory Distribution Ltd, Redrow Homes and representatives from the Armed Forces. These employers will be showcasing their organisations and be offering face to face guidance on the Apprenticeships that they have to offer.
Last year’s event was a resounding success with 50 businesses in attendance showcasing their Apprenticeship offer and providing guidance and support to over 900 visitors.
This year’s event is once again being co-ordinated and project managed by Exeter College business Apprentice Ella Fielding.
Ella, from Ottery St Mary, joined Exeter College as an Apprentice in December 2015 and was tasked with project managing last year’s Apprenticeship Expo. She did such a good job that the South West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network asked her to do it all again, but on a bigger scale this year. The Expo has moved from the college’s Technology Centre to its new Sports Hall, allowing for more employers and interactive exhibits
Ella said: “Having co-ordinated the Expo event last year, this year’s brief to be bigger and better has been a real challenge. Having seen the event from both sides has made me appreciate how much hard work goes into organising an event of this size.”
Fiona Parsons, from the South West Apprenticeships Ambassadors Network, said: "Ella, by applying the technical knowledge and wider range of interpersonal skills developed through her Apprenticeship, has brought real drive and enthusiasm to the organisation of this large and important event."
The event is supported annually by the South West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and Health Education England.
Amanda Shobrook, who is the Widening Participation and Apprenticeship Lead for Health Education England South West, said: “The Apprenticeship Expo offers employers a unique opportunity to actually speak to our potential future workforce. Health Education England are delighted to be supporting this well-established successful event, which promotes the opportunities that are available to the future workforce through Apprenticeship training.”
Richard Daulton, of the National Apprenticeship Service, added: “We are delighted to be supporting this event after the huge success of last year’s Expo. The Apprenticeship Expo is a fantastic opportunity for young people and parents to engage with some of our most successful and supportive employers from the region. As more and more businesses identify the unique benefits that Apprenticeships bring to their organisation it’s essential they recruit the right candidate to fill these roles.”
The Apprenticeship Expo is open to anyone interested in finding out more about Apprenticeships. For more information please visit www/exe-coll.ac.uk/ACE17 or call 01392 400800.
