This week, we have been celebrating National Apprenticeship Week. Nowadays, there are many exciting opportunities for students to explore but it is essential that young people do their research so that they make an informed decision about their future careers. In order to support our students with these important decisions, they have been learning about apprenticeships, the labour market and working on their employability skills.

Every day has been busy with a range of lunch time activities and visits from external speakers. On Monday, Sixth Form and Year 11 students interested in careers in Law took part in an ‘Ask a Justice’ event and we invited the Stafford College Apprenticeship Bus in to school which was well received by students from all year groups.

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, members of staff have put together career profiles which detail their qualifications and career pathways. These ranged from working in pig factories to filling pork pies. Students have enthusiastically completed activities based around these profiles to earn valuable house points and learn more about careers in different industries.

The whole-school focus week saw a wealth of experienced presenters from a range of providers visit assemblies to give our students a flavour of apprenticeship opportunities. These ranged from ASK Apprenticeships who talked to Year 11 students about their Post-16 and Post-18 options to apprenticeship teams from South Staffordshire College and Walsall College who talked to students in Years 9 and 10. Jayne Guest from In-Comm Training gave an inspiring presentation to Year 8 about Engineering apprenticeships and skills gaps in the manufacturing industry. She spoke passionately about encouraging females into STEM based jobs and encouraged students to get involved with activities in and out of school.

Julie Poppleton, Director of Careers, said: “There is an increasing number of students that are looking to go down apprenticeship routes. As a school we are engaging with employers who are looking to grow their own talent and are offering apprenticeships at intermediate, advanced or higher degree level.”

Carrie Cain, Assistant Headteacher, added: “Our careers programme is a golden thread that runs through the school curriculum and inspires our young people to aim high and follow their dreams. NAW plays an important part in this careers programme, and we are grateful to the companies and organisers of the events taking place in this week, as they help our students make an informed decision about their next steps.”