North West Regional College (NWRC) hosted an Apprenticeships Employer Coffee Morning on the 4th of February at their Springtown Campus. This event provided information on the wide range of apprenticeships available at NWRC. They also facilitated an employer panel discussion and a Q&A portion, allowing discussion and informative conversations. Many GEMX partners had a presence at the event, including Hunter Apparel Solutions, Terex Corporation, Welditz Ltd., DuPont, McColgan’s, and Derry Precision Tools.
The session began with introductory remarks, followed by NWRC Business Support Centre’s Orlaith McEleney who provided excellent insight about the range of apprenticeships options available and what career paths can be taken from each. Applications are now open and all ages are welcome to apply.
William McColgan took to the floor, saying that apprenticeships are on the rise and how the Northwest is at a turning point in terms of skills gap and employment rates. McColgan’s also take on apprentices who study with NWRC, CAFRE, and Ulster University. He noted that those who put their learning into practice simultaneously are usually more skilled and more equipped in their role.
A panel made up of employers and apprentices then discussed their experiences of the process and how employers can benefit from taking on apprentices into the businesses. Students spoke from their point of view, explaining how any worries were subsided by how supportive and helpful their advisors and employers were during their initial employment.
Tiegan McLaughlin, a HLA student, said that doing an apprenticeship was, “The best thing I could have ever done.” She also mentioned that she wished she had done it sooner, as she worked full-time after school whilst not continuing her studies.
Claire King from Women’s TEC noted that times are changing and career paths that were once thought to be gender-exclusive are most definitely not anymore. Everyone is welcome to apply to any course, no matter what stereotypes are commonly associated with it.
