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First pre apprenticeship scheme proves successful with Bolsover teens

12th January 2010

Teenagers aged 16-18 in Bolsover without employment, education or training have benefitted from the first pre apprenticeship scheme run by Chesterfield College as part of the Bolsover District Council Apprenticeship Programme.

Upon successful completion of this programme the participants will all be interviewed for a variety of work-based learning positions in Sport and Business Administration within the Council.

As part of the scheme, participants were given advice and guidance about preparing for interview and subsequent employment. For example, a lot of time is put into C.V development, practising interview techniques and even basic first aid in the workplace. The project proved so successful that the College is now planning to arrange future schemes. Funding secured by Bolsover District Council aims to support apprenticeships and provide local employment opportunities for unemployed young adults who live in Bolsover district.

Pat McGowan, Partnerships and Standards Manager, Chesterfield College, explains, “The programme has been so successful, it’s only right that we seek to do more in the future and hopefully funding will allow us to do so. We endeavour to provide training that gives each participant the skills to succeed when it comes to entering into in everyday employment. Everybody on the programme really seemed to engage with the training and more than deserved the certificates we presented following completion.”

Bolsover District Council Leader, Councillor Eion Watts says, “It’s a great opportunity for these young people to gain valuable experience and hopefully secure work. They have all commented on what a fantastic experience this has been and the training they received has hopefully given them an insight into a work environment and helped them to prepare for interviews and the workplace.”

Left to right – Jordon Cotterill, Romeo Nhlabathi, Martin White (tutor), Pat McGowan (Chesterfield College), Scott Price, Thomas Wood, Nathan Edwards