BMet supports National Apprenticeship Week with activities to inspire!

BMet College (@BMetC) is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week (#NAW2021), with an array of activities designed to showcase the importance of apprenticeships.

Taking place between Monday 8 and Sunday 14 February, the theme this year is: “Build the Future Campaign: Train, Retrain and Achieve”. The aim is to shine a light on the amazing work being done by apprentices and employers across the country.

NAW is an important date in BMet’s calendar, as it is a chance for the college to showcase the variety of pathways available to students across its three – James Watt, Matthew Boulton and Sutton Coldfield college sites.

Starting with a virtual open day for apprenticeships on Monday 8 February, the exciting week will see the college shouting loud and proud about apprenticeships. Register here for the open event.

Activity on BMet’s social media accounts will include posts from apprentices and employers, a guide to apprenticeships and videos (including Tik Toks) each day celebrating apprentice success stories.

The week is also an opportunity to highlight and celebrate BMet’s longstanding relationships with employers, who play a key role in shaping the future and career prospects of apprentices. Many of BMet’s apprentices have forged rewarding careers with employers after their apprenticeships end.

Suzie Branch, BMet’s Vice Principal of Employer Engagement, said: “National Apprenticeship Week is really important to us, as it shines a light on the fantastic opportunities that are available to young people and adults.  

“So called traditional pathways are not right for everyone and our diverse apprenticeship routes have kickstarted many careers.

“Apprenticeships are also really important to employers; not only can they inject a new and fresh perspective they also help employers with succession planning – future proofing if you like!”

Over 30 different sector-based apprenticeships are available at BMet from Level 2 to University Level. Popular courses range from accounts/finance apprenticeships to dental apprenticeships to early years/teaching and engineering. Always keeping ahead of the curve, the college also offers Junior Content Production Apprenticeships.

In recent years, several of the college’s apprentices have been recognised and won national apprenticeship awards.

2020 saw an engineering student at BMet officially named as the “Apprentice of the Year” at a national online awards ceremony.

Dean, a level 3 apprentice, who works as a technician at West Midlands Rail, was recognised for his great achievements at the National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR) Apprenticeship Awards.

Commenting on his apprenticeship, Dean said: “I really enjoyed my time at James Watt College. My most memorable experiences are making good friends, gaining skills which are transferable to my current role and gaining a recognised qualification.

“I did not want to go to university after finishing school and felt that an apprenticeship was the best route for me.

“My next steps are to gain a full-time position within West Midlands Trains and to also carry on with further education.

“I was chuffed to win national apprentice of the year – it was the icing on top of my apprenticeship cake!”