This year, our annual Apprenticeship Week celebrations highlighted some of our successful alumni. Throughout the week, both teaching staff and the Careers, Progression and Aspirations Team welcomed ten organisations, with DSFC alumni leading the majority of sessions. 

Apprenticeships are competitive and sought after; each year Durham Sixth Form Centre students manage to secure places with some of the biggest regional employers. Ward Hadaway, Clifford Chance and Accenture promoted vacancies that our final year students could apply for and progress onto from August. South Tyneside Council spoke directly to law students, sharing an insight into the solicitor degree apprenticeship as ‘in house counsel’.

Students had the opportunity to network with employers, with one student taking his opportunity to share his CV with an employer, receiving glowing feedback  – “The initiative, prior planning and conviction to pass over this detail to support his interest was great to see.”

Those attending presentations were able to gain an accurate account of full time work with part time learning from their peers, discovering the positives and challenges that can occur at different stages. Some representatives, such as Will Baines, Quantity Surveyor Apprentice, have been working for just 6 Months, whereas Abby Dawson, Solicitor Apprentice will soon be progressing into her final year. 

Emily Stott presenting for Ward Hadaway provided an insight into the apprentice application process and assessments centre, preparing students for what lies ahead. Finally, Karen Marshall, Accenture, covered labour market information, sharing with students the vast technology opportunities in the North East. 

This event acted as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of apprenticeships on individuals and their career paths. The maturity and confidence demonstrated by previous students has been outstanding, and their experiences will motivate others to pursue apprenticeships. It was a pleasure to welcome them back.