The week kicked off on Monday with subject teachers showcasing videos linking apprenticeships to their respective subjects, to help students understand the relevance of apprenticeships in different career paths.

On Tuesday, Alison Delius from the University of West London delivered an insightful talk on Degree Apprenticeships to Year 12 students. Additionally, Years 7, 8, and 9 attended an engaging presentation, broadening their knowledge of apprenticeship opportunities.

From Wednesday to Friday, we virtually welcomed back three Park High alumni who shared their apprenticeship journeys and real-world experiences. These talks gave students valuable advice and inspiration.

• Zakeer – Now a Level 6 Degree Apprentice with IBM as a Security Architect, Zakeer discussed his career path and provided useful tips for students considering apprenticeships. He also shared insights into what employers look for in applicants.
• Chaand – Currently a Level 4 Service Engineer Apprentice with BP. Chaand shared that he chose the apprenticeship route because it allows him to earn a salary while studying, rather than paying for education. He highlighted the benefit of gaining a qualification alongside valuable work experience.  He described his daily work routine and encouraged students to network on LinkedIn by reaching out to professionals in their desired roles or companies for advice.
• Naiya – Completed a degree apprenticeship with Accenture and now works there as a Sales & Growth Strategy Analyst. Naiya spoke about her experience completing the three-year degree apprenticeship, reassuring students that they don’t necessarily need GCSEs in a specific subject to pursue a career in that sector. She also provided insights into the application process.

(All the talks are available for students to view on the Career and Employability site on SharePoint.)

We also signposted students to various workshops and careers fairs throughout the week that they could take part in virtually.

The response from students was overwhelmingly positive:

• “It’s been inspiring to see opportunities available in the future.” – Year 8 student
• “I found the apprenticeship talk useful as this is something I want to do when I am older.” – Year 9 student
• “The talks gave me an understanding of a day in the life of an apprentice and provided great tips when making an application.” – Sixth Form student

Although National Apprenticeship Week is over, we continue to encourage students to think about their futures. For students interested in learning more about apprenticeships or seeking career guidance, Mrs Foster is available in the Careers & Employability Centre, located in the Park Block next to P6. Drop-in surgeries are available during lunch breaks (12:40 – 1:20 pm) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Additionally, students can access a wealth of information on the Careers & Employability pages on our school website and SharePoint.

We hope our students feel inspired and more informed by National Apprenticeship Week. We look forward to continuing to support students in making informed decisions about their futures.