Last week, The Windsor Forest Colleges Group celebrated National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) with an exciting lineup of events, workshops, and career-focused opportunities across our campuses.
Students, parents, and industry professionals came together to explore the diverse world of apprenticeships and gain valuable insights into career pathways.
The week began at Slough & Langley College with an inspiring talk from Varsha Menon from ASK Apprenticeships. She provided students with an in-depth understanding of the apprenticeship journey, explaining the benefits, application processes, and the vast opportunities available across various sectors.
On Tuesday, BCA hosted a highly anticipated Apprenticeship Fair, where students engaged directly with employers, training providers, and industry experts. This interactive event gave attendees the chance to explore potential career routes, ask questions, and even register their interest for upcoming apprenticeship openings. Additionally, James Scudder delivered an engaging talk to full-time IT students, offering valuable insights into the tech industry and the opportunities available through apprenticeships.
Wednesday saw a variety of informative sessions take place, including an insightful talk at Windsor College by Maisie Clater, Senior Talent Coordinator from Studio Lambert. She shared her experience of working in the media industry and highlighted the impact that completing an apprenticeship can have in creative careers.
In the evening, the Apprenticeship Team hosted an online webinar with over fifty parents and students in attendance, providing guidance on how apprenticeships can be a valuable alternative to university education.
The momentum continued on Thursday with Slough & Langley College hosting their Apprenticeship Fair, allowing more students to meet with industry professionals and discuss apprenticeship opportunities. With eighteen local businesses in attendance, students were able to find out more information from a vast range of employers, ranging from business and healthcare to engineering and hospitality. Later on that day, Richard Jarmon, Senior Gas Operations Manager at Abri, gave an insightful talk to full time plumbing and Gas students, discussing career pathways and the skills required for success in the industry.
To round off an incredible week, Friday focused on specialised career guidance with online one-to-one Greenkeeping Apprenticeship calls. This unique opportunity gave students direct access to industry professionals who provided tailored advice and insights into apprenticeships in sports turf management.
Reflecting on the success of National Apprenticeship Week, Emma Raymond, Head of Business Development – Landbased, Apprenticeships, and Training, at The Windsor Forest Colleges Group, said:
“We are so proud of how well this year’s National Apprenticeship Week went. These events continue to strengthen our commitment to equipping learners with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed for future career success.
A huge thank you to all the WFCG staff, the guest speakers, and the employers who supported our Fairs, for making this week possible. Your contributions have helped inspire and guide our students towards exciting apprenticeship opportunities. We look forward to hosting even more career-focused events in the future!”
To find out more about being a linked employer, or how to apply to become an apprentice, please head to the Apprenticeships section of our website.
