A BIG yellow bus is helping school and college students in Warwickshire find career training placements as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
The apprenticeships team from college group WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group) is visiting three schools a day – including schools in Leamington, Rugby, Lutterworth and Broughton Astley – in an American-style yellow school bus during National Apprenticeship Week this week.
Apprenticeships on offer range from construction and engineering to arboriculture and motor vehicles.
Students will get the chance to create their own catapult from lollypop sticks and spoons under the watchful eye of engineering tutors from the college.
There will also be a collection of engines from motor vehicles for prospective apprentices to inspect and power tools on show for construction use.
Staff will also be putting on an arboriculture taster session, using chainsaws with chains removed.
Presentations will be given at each school to highlight the range of apprenticeship options available for school leavers.
Mark Whittaker from WCG said: “For the last two years we haven’t been able to get out to schools during National Apprenticeship Week, and it’s important that young people are aware of the opportunities available to them through apprenticeships.
“We hope the WCG yellow bus will turn some heads as it arrives at schools across the Midlands and encourage pupils to say hello and find out more about prospective career paths for when they leave school.
“It’s going to be really interactive and engaging, with the idea of helping young people to sample a range of different professions and industries.
“The last year has seen Government place a major emphasis on skills and in particular how post-16 education can help to ease pressures on the labour market. Apprenticeships are a vital component in doing that and we hope our apprenticeships roadshow will open more eyes to the benefits of taking the apprenticeship route.”
Visit www.wcg.ac.uk/apprenticeships for more information.
