This week is National Apprenticeship Week and this year’s theme is ‘Skills for Life’ focuses on how apprenticeships can set people up with lifelong skills to kickstart and maintain careers.
Harrison Turnock, 17, from Hyde, successfully secured an apprenticeship with Stalybridge-based chemical manufacturing company Stepan UK Ltd last summer after attending a ‘Workplace Safari’ with his former school Alder Community High School.
‘Workplace Safaris’ are designed to give students a chance to visit real workplaces and speak with current employees about their experiences, as well as give businesses an opportunity to open their doors to young people across Greater Manchester.
“I was in a chemistry lesson when my teacher told us about the opportunity to visit Stepan,” Harrison explained.
“I’d always thought engineering would be interesting so I decided to go along. Everyone was really friendly and I liked the atmosphere, so when the apprenticeship opportunity was advertised in school, I spoke to my teacher about applying and he supported me with my application, which I’m really grateful for.
“My older brother had an apprenticeship and I’d seen how he’d been earning money as well as showing commitment to work, so I wanted the same. I know that when I finish the apprenticeship, the experience I’ll have gained will go a long way when I come to further my career.”
‘Workplace Safaris’ are an initiative of the Mayoral campaign, Meet Your Future, and developed by the Youth Employment and Opportunities team at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the Careers and Enterprise Company.
Viv Dennis, an employee at Stepan, engaged with GMCA about becoming an Enterprise Adviser, which would allow her and the business to be partnered with a local school or college to connect young people to experience of the workplace and raise the profile of their industry.
After becoming an Enterprise Adviser, Viv was matched with Alder Community High School, whose students she has since supported.
“Stepan has been committed to supporting local communities for a long time so when we heard about the Enterprise Adviser role, it aligned with our values and what we were trying to achieve as a business,” said Viv.
“As well as offering an insight into our industry and day-to-day business activities, offering Workplace Safaris and apprenticeships encourages engagement across the workforce and our existing employees gain a lot by speaking to students and mentoring apprentices.
“When we offer Workplace Safaris, I always ensure that students are able to speak to several people with varying experiences for example, an employee who has gone through the traditional university route, a degree apprentice and a school apprentice so that they can understand the wider picture and help them to make more informed decisions.”
Following his appointment, Harrison will support the delivery of Stepan’s next Workplace Safari and will speak with his former younger classmates, drawing on his recent experiences.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester is encouraging Year 11 students to explore all of their career options as they continue to consider their next steps after school.
Last year, Andy Burnham announced plans for Greater Manchester to be the UK’s first integrated technical education city-region, placing a high focus on work-based opportunities and engaging with businesses to ensure education is reflective of local need.
This year will see the launch of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate, which intends to open up various technical opportunities to those young people aged between 14 and 18 who would prefer to pursue a work-related route, such as an apprenticeship or a T Level.