You’re Hired apprenticeship event set to bring together top employers

An event to showcase the apprenticeship opportunities available with key employers is being held later this month in The Galleries shopping centre in Broadmead.

On 24 October (1 – 5pm) around 40 employers and training providers will come together with the aim of signing up a new wave of apprentices, with over 150 opportunities available in the next few months.

Bristol is one of five cities in England which has been selected to work with the Government to increase diversity in apprenticeships and has teamed up with the National Apprenticeship Service and other local partners to put on the You’re Hired event. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is also supporting the work.

Anyone can apply for an apprenticeship and they’re available across a wide range of different industries from law and finance to education, marketing or IT. In some sectors an apprenticeship can also earn you a qualification up to the equivalent of a Master’s degree.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said:

“We want to see people from all parts of the city have the opportunity to improve their career prospects and to get the message across that apprenticeships are for anyone, not just for those at the start of their careers. They can provide an opportunity for existing staff to develop their skills and qualifications.

“We’ve got some fantastic employers in Bristol and the surrounding areas and we will continue working with them to increase diversity across the apprenticeships they offer. I thank them for their help in the challenge to make Bristol a more equal place to live and work.”

Tim Bowles, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“An apprenticeship will give you hands-on, practical experience, a salary and the opportunity to train while you work – and importantly gain the skills that businesses really need. Employers are encouraged to pay apprentices in line with their skills, experience and job role and the West of England Combined Authority is working with Bristol City Council and the Government on events such as this one to help to give local people more opportunities to secure long term employment.”

Employers including Costa Coffee, EDF Energy and St Monica’s Trust, will be on hand at the You’re Hired event to discuss opportunities and how to apply.

Before the main event opens a free, bookable skills workshop will be taking place from 10am-12noon. Held in partnership with the National Careers Service, the Department for Work and Pensions and numerous other local support providers, four workshop sessions will cover; how to complete job applications, use the ‘Find an Apprenticeship’ website, build resilience and mock interview practice. There’s space for 100 people on the workshops and attendees will also get a free lunch and access to the jobs fair 30 minutes before it opens to the public. It’s quick and easy to sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/skills-workshops-prior-to-apprenticeship-job-fair-youre-hired-tickets-49996387541

The job fair on the 24 October will be the first in a series of events between now and 2020 which will provide support and opportunities for people interested in apprenticeship.

The programme is being delivered as part of Bristol WORKS  – a Bristol Learning City Partnership (LCP) project which aims to improve post 16 pathways and career options.