Young people in south Bristol interested in finding an apprenticeship have an opportunity to meet more than 30 employers and training providers when MP Karin Smyth hosts the first ever South Bristol Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair (Friday 10 March).
The Bristol South MP has teamed up with City of Bristol College and The Bristol Post to organise the event, at Hengrove’s South Bristol Skills Academy.
A range of employers, training providers and others will be there to help attendees:
• Find out what apprenticeship opportunities are available
• Learn what employers are looking for, how they recruit and what training they offer
• Find out about training, and what employers look for when they’re recruiting
• Strengthen their CV by showing it to employers for advice
• Talk to current apprentices about what life’s like for them.
Small and medium sized businesses will also be able to attend to find out
• How to take on an apprentice without bureaucracy
• Get information about how to recruit and pay
• Find out about the new Apprenticeships Levy
Karin Smyth says: “Whether you’re a secondary school or sixth form student; an adult looking to get back into work, an employer, or a parent or carer, you’re invited to come along to understand what pathways are open to young people.
“Fewer young people living in Bristol South go to university than from any other UK constituency, so there’s a vital need for other avenues. We’re also home to some of the most deprived wards in the country. And we have hardly any large employers, the type of which offer apprenticeships on a large scale.
“We do have many small and medium sized firms which are open-minded about offering apprenticeships, but often just need more support and information about how to go about it.
“So I decided to use my position as local Member of Parliament to organise a special event that will offer young people – and adults looking to get back into work or re-train – a perfect chance to learn more.
“As we head for Brexit, south Bristol’s skills and apprenticeships priority becomes even more important because we need to make the most of the opportunities that Brexit might provide to improve local employment and training.
“For example, if restrictions on free movement lie ahead, leading to fewer foreign workers, it will be even more important to ensure good quality training opportunities – in construction, IT, engineering and the NHS, for example – so people living in communities across south Bristol can access these jobs.”
Lee Probert, Principal and Chief Executive of City of Bristol College said: “We are delighted to host this Jobs and Apprenticeships fair on behalf of Karin Smyth MP. Here at the City of Bristol College we work closely with employers to ensure we are developing highly employable students that are focussed on their progression into the workplace and which are meeting the needs of local businesses. The job fair is a great opportunity to showcase potential employers to the students and to demonstrate to employers what our students have to offer.”
The South Bristol Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair takes place on Friday 10 March, from 12 noon to 5.30 pm at the South Bristol Skills Academy, BS14 0DB – in Hengrove, next to the leisure centre and hospital.
The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend: secondary school and sixth form students; adults looking to get back into work; parents and carers too. There is no need to book a place.