National Apprenticeship Week 2023

During the week of 6 February 2023, we celebrated National Apprenticeship Week at Rochdale Sixth Form College.

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2023 was ‘Skills for Life’. Reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and help businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future.

In order to mark National Apprenticeship Week, RSFC held talks, workshops and apprenticeship stands throughout the week. We also held a number of CV and Apprenticeship Application Workshops, with the support of our SPDL’s. The workshops were designed to support students in developing their CV writing skills and to receive support in searching for and applying for apprenticeships.

On Monday 6 February, we welcomed The British Army, Grant Thornton and AECOM to hold stalls. AECOM also delivered a talk based on Engineering and its apprenticeship programme. Alumni, Emily Holdsworth, also joined us to deliver a talk on her experiences as a legal apprentice at BCLP Law. Emily spoke with the students about the application process, interviews, as well as a Q&A session, where students had the opportunity to ask questions they had about apprenticeships. 

"The talk was helpful as it provided an insight into what its like to be an apprentice into a law firm such as BCLP. It helped me take into consideration the benefits of earning an income while you learn and how you're able to acquire work skills at such a young age and develop and grow with the company you apply for. Emily also helped us to acknowledge the flexibility that may come with some apprenticeships such as having the appropriate amount of days allocated for studying but also something about having the option to leave with your degree if you do not want to stay with a company after a certain amount of time. Therefore overall it was a good reminder for the opportunities that come with apprenticeships." - Year 12 student, Maryam Ashogbon

The following day, Greater Manchester Higher attended, to hold a stall and deliver a talk on Apprenticeships VS Degrees. They delivered a talk later on in the week based on Interview Skills.

On Wednesday 8 February, Rochdale Training joined us to hold a stall and deliver a talk based on apprenticeships in the area, applications and top tips. Rochdale Training is a local apprenticeship provider, providing students with a brilliant way to gain new practical and professional skills, on-the-job training, nationally recognised qualifications and earn money at the same time. Rochdale Training offers a number of different apprenticeships such as Business Admin, HR & Recruitment, Engineering, Childcare and much more. Manchester Metropolitan University also held a stall on Wednesday, offering students advice and guidance on the latest degree apprenticeships.

Sameer Hussain, another former RSFC student visited us on Thursday 9 February to speak with the students about his apprenticeship experience. Sameer is currently completing a degree apprenticeship in Digital and Technology Solutions with Manchester Metropolitan University. He gave an in-depth talk on the benefits of degree apprenticeships, boosting your application/CV to help you stand, he also went through some of the common questions you may be asked during the interview stage.

Overall, the week was very successful and we received some positive feedback from students throughout the week. We would like to thank all of the providers, for making the week such a success.