Employers from different industry sectors who are currently recruiting Higher Level Apprentices, including Ryobi, Accounting Technicians Ireland, Moore Concrete, Randox, NIE Networks and Translink, were represented at the event with representatives on hand offer advice and answer any questions.
Work Based Learning Manager at Northern Regional College, Sean McAleese, explained that the Higher Level Apprenticeship event was targeted at anyone studying A-Levels or a Level 3 qualification, as well as young people currently in employment who wanted to upskill and get a recognised qualification.
“NI Apprenticeship Week was an opportunity for us to showcase the different apprenticeship opportunities that exist with the College. With an apprenticeship, young people ‘earn as they learn’ so it can be a great way for them to develop new skills to improve their employability and career prospects.”
Northern Regional College currently offers Higher Level Apprenticeships in a range of occupational areas, including Accountancy, Children's Care, Learning & Development (Leadership and Management Pathway), Computing, Construction, Construction Engineering with Surveying, Engineering and Supply Chain & Logistics.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council collaborated with Northern Regional College to provide a dedicated week of events and promotional activities that will demonstrate how apprenticeships work for individuals, businesses, communities and the wider economy.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Alderman Noel Williams said:
“Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is committed to supporting local businesses - offering a pipeline of talent and employees to our local businesses and providing career pathways to the young people across our Borough.
“Through collaboration with local employers and schools we aim to ensure that our businesses have the support they need to introduce new talent into their workforces and provide pathways for our young people to gain the skills and experience they need to build the foundations for their career pathway.”
Joint Chair of Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership Edyth Dunlop, said:
“Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership was happy to provide support for this event, enabling young people to engage directly with employers and find out more about the wide variety of exciting Higher Level Apprenticeship opportunities that exist within the Borough.”
The Council’s Labour Market Partnership (LMP) aims to support more people into meaningful employment.
It is a province-wide approach developed by the Department for Communities, which aims to address issues with jobs and training by combining resources and delivering a collaborative and flexible approach to employability support.