Turning your skills into a real career
THE importance of good careers and developing young people into skilled workers to boost the UK economy is being emphasised by two big events currently under way.
National Apprenticeships Week and National Careers Week are designed to ensure British businesses are empowered with the workforces to drive them to national and international success.
The campaigns are also organised to help young people fulfil their promise and make the most of their talent.
Apprentices can earn a real wage while being trained in the skills employers want to boost their businesses. They are more likely to progress quicker and higher than a typical student, learning at a pace that suits them and supported by a mentor.
As an apprentice, you will have a holiday and be paid while you’re away. You will set yourself up for the future – apprentices enjoy marked salary increases when they finish their training, and those completing a higher apprenticeship could see increased earnings of an estimated £150,000.
The organisers of National Careers Week are appealing to employers across all sectors and industries to help make a real difference to the lives of young people. This can be achieved by providing encounters with their work place. Businesses and enterprises, large and small, can bring the world of work to life for young people.
It is a critical aspect of the support young people need. By connecting them to employers and employees, they have the opportunity to ask questions, challenge perceptions and get a real taste of what different careers look like.
Young people and those who seek to employ them can find out more about these important initiatives by visiting the following websites:
National Apprenticeships (March 5-9): gov.uk and “apprenticeships.”
National Careers Week (March 5-10): www.nationalcareersweek.com. Week search CHILDREN from Balsall Common Primary School’s Cooking Club were treated to a tour of a top hotel and country club when Marriott Forest of Arden extended an invitation.
The snow and bad weather wasn’t going to dampen the youngsters’ spirits as they had been looking forward to the trip for weeks. The children first saw the hospitality side of the business, looking at guest rooms, the gym, swimming pool, then the golf and leisure club.
Next it was time to look at a professional working kitchen, banqueting suite and the bar and restaurant, where there was a surprise waiting.
Jon Howitt, director of food and beverage, had set up a practical demonstration of how to cook waffles and how to set a formal table.
The idea was to show the children how to make Mother’s Day special by preparing a simple breakfast for mum on her special day.
Howard Rose, the school’s director of funding, said: “A huge thank you to Markus Marquardt, general manager, and Jon Howitt for allowing us to visit and for making us so welcome. The children had a real insight into how a professional modern country club runs. This is another example of how local businesses can work with schools to enhance pupils’ learning.”