More than 100 visitors have attended an inspiring Careers Expo at Nelson and Colne College – designed to help raise awareness of Apprenticeship, volunteering, Traineeship and work placement opportunities.
The Expo gave school and college leavers, job seekers or individuals looking for a career change the chance to speak to employers and Apprentices across a wide range of sectors, and view live Apprenticeship vacancies.
Expert members of staff from the college’s Apprenticeship Team, Careers Team and University Centre were on hand to provide high quality careers advice and guidance, as well as further information on progression routes to higher education.
More than 30 businesses from a broad selection of employment sectors such as Business and Professional Services, Catering and Hospitality, Childcare, Creative and Digital, Engineering, Health and Social Care and Information Technology were there on the night, as well as Burnley FC in the Community who offered information on a new Traineeship programme that will be delivered in partnership with Nelson and Colne College.
One of the employers who found the event a success was Suzanne Winslow, Group Apprenticeship Manager at Daisy Communications. She said: “We’re offering some of our entry level positions now as Apprenticeships, which we have never done before and it is an exciting time for us.
“I’ve spoken to a number of people, received a few CVs, had people enquiring about work experience and identified a couple of people who we would be very interested in speaking to further, so it has been very useful.”
Nelson and Colne College A Level English Language, French and Geography student Emily Shapland, 17, said: “I came to the Expo to see the variety of businesses in attendance offering Apprenticeships.
“I don’t want to go to university – I’d rather earn and learn on the job. I spoke to a financial advisor and that was interesting.”
Leah Woods, 17, from Colne was also attending, and said: “I really enjoy working with people so I was looking for an Apprenticeship in customer services with any of the companies present.
“I found it really informative – I’ve made some good contacts and a couple expressed an interest in arranging work experience placements so I’m hoping one of those develops into something more.”
The following businesses attended on the evening:
- Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire Volunteer Partnership
- Lancashire Constabulary
- Royal Air Force
- Protec Fire Detection PLC
- acdc
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Pendle Borough Council Human Resources
- Armed Forces
- Fagan and Whalley
- Silentnight
- Pendle Engineering
- McDonald’s
- James’ Places
- Daisy Communications
- Transport Training Academy
- The Prince’s Trust Lancashire Fire and Rescue
- Cheetham Jackson Ltd
- Forever Living – The Aloe Vera Company
- Farnworth and Rose Solicitors
- Newtown Nursery School and Early Years Centre
- Connecting East Lancashire
- The Stocks Hall Nursing and Care Group
- Burnley FC in the Community
- Distinction Hair and Beauty
- Nelson and Colne College University Centre
- Apprenticeships by Nelson and Colne College
- April Hairdressing
- NCC Careers Zone
- Christina Clegg Independent Financial Advice
Nelson and Colne College is the top performing general FE college nationally for overall Apprenticeship achievement, at all ages and levels, according to the government figures, and is also number one for 16-18 timely Apprenticeship achievement, at all levels.
For more information about Nelson and Colne College contact 01282 440272 or visit www.nelson.ac.uk
