The Burnt Oak Opportunity Support Team (BOOST) and the National Careers Service will be promoting work and apprenticeship options at Brent Cross Shopping Centre this Friday.
The Burnt Oak Opportunity Support Team (BOOST) and the National Careers Service will be promoting work and apprenticeship options at Brent Cross Shopping Centre this Friday.
This will be one of the main events Barnet Council is hosting this week as it celebrates the achievements of apprentices, as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
Apprenticeships are available for anyone over the age of 16. People who are already working can also use an apprenticeship to upskill, for example, when a worker wants to gain promotion to become a manager.
Apprenticeships are also a popular choice for people changing career. As part of this week’s activities, Barnet Council will also be hosting a Lunch and Learn session to promote apprenticeships for new employees and upskilling opportunities for existing staff.
Barnet Council, along with Re, its joint venture with Capita has pledged to provide 100 apprenticeship opportunities to young people in 2017/18. Nearly 80 apprentices are already in gainful employment across the borough, providing invaluable support to Barnet Council, Barnet Homes, Council development partners, as well as community schools.
Apprentices undertake courses from Level 2 (standard GCSE level) up to Level 4 and higher (degree level), depending on the apprentices’ current education and skill level.
Katie McDermott is an apprentice with Capita, working on development projects within the organisation supporting Regeneration Project Managers. She is exploring a higher level apprenticeship in quantity surveying. A Barnet resident, she says: “I am really enjoying my time here in Barnet. I find the projects very interesting to work on, so this increases my enthusiasm within the workplace.”
Wesley Sinfield, is an Internal Audit Apprentice in Barnet’s Anti-Fraud team. Wesley began his apprenticeship in September 2017 and is working towards his AAT Level 4 accounting qualification.
Wesley said: “The option of an apprenticeship seemed the best option. I get on the job experience and a qualification at the same time, all with the opportunity to progress and learn.”
“I get to work on a variety of different projects during my four days in the office and one day a week I go to college where I work towards my qualification.”
“I do a lot of field work for different audits, research and planning, I feel quite involved and I’m not just doing admin tasks. I recommend the option to anyone considering it. You don’t always have to go to University!”
Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius, said: “We are proud to have provided high quality apprenticeships. They have helped people from a variety of backgrounds develop work skills and take up employment opportunities across the borough.
“We are delighted to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, as we understand how beneficial an apprenticeship can be to give someone that all-important foot in the door.”
There are many apprenticeships to choose from with hundreds of job roles within sectors. You can view our current apprenticeships on the find an apprenticeship website: www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship