Oaklands College take Apprenticeships on the road for #NAW2017

ST ALBANS — It’s all aboard for Apprenticeships this week as Oaklands College took to the roads for a county-wide tour of Hertfordshire on their new Apprenticeship Bus.

The double decker bus was fully branded and kitted out in aid of National Apprenticeship Week, a national initiative to shout about apprenticeship opportunities and celebrate the value apprentices bring to the workplace.

During the week, the bus had a packed out schedule of school visits to meet Year 10 and 11 students and chat to them about possible Apprenticeship opportunities after college. Apprenticeships give experience and qualifications by combining on the job training with study, meaning students can earn whilst they learn.

Both bottom and top deck were cleared of seats and decked out with ‘taster stations’ – an activity station relating to each apprenticeship to give students a feel for each Apprenticeship available at the college. Students could style creations on hair mannequins, solve cyber security puzzles, puppet a robotic hand made from 3D printing, try their hand at virtual welding and test their childcare skills with an electronic baby to name a few.

The College’s Apprenticeship Team were on hand throughout the week to answer any questions, and give information. Their on board computer also allowed visitors to search the Apprenticeship database at www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk  – a great starting point for anyone looking for their next opportunity.

The bus kicked off the college’s busy week at St Albans Girl’s School, heading over to Hatfield, Stevenage and Harpenden before ending up in Welwyn Garden City town centre on Friday afternoon.

Business Development Manager Matt Webb said: “The bus has been a great way for us to bring a little of college life right into schools and get students engaged and thinking about their all-important next step.

“We have been impressed with how switched on the students are and they have asked some great questions. To have our own in-house apprentices working on the bus has been a great experience for them and great to share their own experiences first hand.”

The College also hosted the latest it its series of Apprenticeship Breakfasts inviting local employers in to discuss apprenticeship opportunities and hear first-hand from other employers and their apprentices about their experience. Discussion also centred around the Apprenticeship Levy, which is due to come into play in just a few weeks on April 5th.