Celebrate Apprenticeship Week 2010
National Apprenticeship Week will take place from Monday 1 February to Friday 5 February.
It will celebrate the talent and skills of apprentices from across the UK and see apprentices, employers, providers and wider stakeholders showcase the benefits of Apprenticeship programmes and the value apprentices bring to the organisations they work for. National and regional activities will be taking place throughout the week and each day will have a different focus. Following the success of Apprenticeship Week 2009, activities this year will include agenda-setting media features, employer events, job swaps, breakfast briefings and apprentice challenges.
To celebrate Apprenticeship Week 2010, Trafford College’s Hospitality students have hosted a networking lunch at Aspire Restaurant Bar for the regional YPLA (The Young People’s Learning Agency). The group of around forty YPLA representatives chose the award-winning venue due to its excellent reputation for service and easy transport links.
Two apprentices busy preparing food in the demanding training kitchens were Ryan Miles and Jamie Harmer.
Ryan (16) from Walkden, is studying a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Hospitality while working with Manchester’s Grenache restaurant. He commented:
“I’m loving my Apprenticeship programme so far and really enjoy learning while making new friendships. After completing my course this year, I’m hoping to progress onto my Level 3, before going onto University and then hopefully carving out a career in a top restaurant as Head Chef.”
Jamie (18) a Level 3 student from Didsbury added:
“Probably my favourite part of the course is learning new skills, for example, knife skills and how to prepare food properly. I’m really hoping to work my way up in a really nice restaurant once I’ve completed my Apprenticeship.
“It’s been really great hosting the event today and preparing food for such a large group. Our tutor, Jim Rylands, has really kept us on our toes and we’ve had some really great feedback from the people here.”
Simon Pierce, Senior Advisor for Commissioning Support with the YPLA, commented:
“We’ve all been absolutely delighted with the professional and friendly service received today, along with the excellent food prepared by the College’s apprentices in the training kitchen. Aspire restaurant is a fantastic venue and we would definitely choose to return here in the future.”
If you are interested in doing an Apprenticeship, or you are an employer interested in finding out more about Apprenticeships, please contact the College on 0161 886 7070.
To find out more information on Apprenticeship Week visit apprenticeships.org.uk
