Redbridge College Celebrates Apprenticeship Week 2010
February kicked off with Apprenticeship Week 2010 – a week organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) celebrating the talents and skills of apprentices. Redbridge College has two reasons to celebrate this week, being both a provider and an employer of apprentices.
One of the many talented apprentices currently studying and working at Redbridge College is Natalie Jenkins (18). Prior to securing her apprenticeship Natalie spent a year job hunting; sending off CV’s and registering with countless employment agencies. She soon became disillusioned with the lack of opportunities available, saying, “I became a bit demoralised, spending a year constantly applying for jobs and being turned down as I didn’t have enough experience. But after visiting the Government’s Apprenticeship website I applied for, and secured, an apprenticeship with Redbridge College, which has been brilliant!
“I love my apprenticeship so much; no two days are the same. One day I could be helping out at an event and the next day I may be updating the website or designing a poster. My IT skills have improved massively and my confidence has grown so much. Once I finish my apprenticeship I will be able to show plenty of experience on my CV.”
Lewis Morgan (18), another apprentice at Redbridge College, said, “I chose an apprenticeship because it allowed me to further my education and earn money at the same time. It allowed me to gain experience in a friendly and busy environment.”
The current global recession has had a profound impact on the UK’s unemployment figures with the hardest hit demographic being young people. Figures published on the 20 January 2010 from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of unemployed young people in the UK, for the 3 months to November 2009, stood at 927,000.
The Apprenticeship scheme offers a unique opportunity for young people to avoid being part of the unemployment figures, providing the opportunity to learn and earn. Redbridge College offers Apprenticeships in Business Administration, Customer Service and Hospitality & Catering.
