Innovative ‘Apprentice vs Dragons Den’ competition shows what is on offer
A TRAINING provider is encouraging young people to consider apprenticeships through a creative competition.
One of the largest training providers in the south, Peta, is running an ‘Apprentice Vs Dragons Den’ competition to Portsmouth schoolchildren, to celebrate, encourage and inspire the next generation of innovators.
The students have been tasked with creating a product which solves one of modern life’s challenges, coming up with a concept, design, production plan and business plan.
Each team has already submitted its project and these will be assessed by a panel of professionals from Peta.
A final five will be shortlisted and invited to present their products in front of a panel of ‘dragons’ and parents at Peta’s awards evening on February 11, marking the end of National Apprenticeship Week.
After facing questions from the panel, the winning team will be decided and awarded with £500 in vouchers.
Jamie Garrett, head of sales at Peta, said that the programme is an opportunity for young people to learn about what an apprenticeship involves in an immersive and practical way. He said: ‘I think this is the best way to engage with the kids, it’s fun, inspirational, entertaining, creative and there’s a reward at the end of it too.
‘For me it’s just about making them aware what apprenticeships are, what the benefits are and how they compare to other options after finishing school. It’s up to them what they decide to do but it’s so important that they are given all the information that’s out there for them.
‘Apprenticeships still have certain connotations attached to them but they are becoming more and more popular thanks to the practical experience they offer as well as the salary.’
The competition has been designed to reflect aspects of the apprenticeship programmes offered at Peta, and encourages the teams to contact businesses that are related to their product, to get a real insight into their chosen industry.
This year the programme was presented to 40 schools in the Portsmouth area, but Jamie said that next time he plans to expand the competition further across the Solent, reaching up to 160 schools.
To find out more, visit peta. co.uk.