COLLEGES, the borough council and other groups have teamed up to encourage local people and businesses to find out more about opportunities in the borough during National Apprenticeship Week this week.

A series of events run by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in partnership with Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT), Queen Mary’s College Basingstoke ITEC and Basingstoke Consortium are taking place to support and promote apprenticeships in the borough.

The apprenticeship roadshow events will be taking place on:

- Thursday 8 March, at Basingstoke ITEC from 4pm to 6pm

- Saturday 10 March, at The Malls Shopping Centre from 9am to 5pm

- Monday 12 March, at Basingstoke College of Technology from 4.30pm to 7pm

The team from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, which currently employs 11 apprentices working across a variety of departments, will be on hand at The Malls with an interactive game highlighting apprenticeships as a springboard to a future career with a team from BCoT will also be at this event.

Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cllr Clive Sanders said: “There are some fantastic apprenticeship opportunities available locally in a range of sectors. With different schemes that offer the chance to get a degree or start without qualifications, the sky really is the limit. These events are a good way for people to find out whether an apprenticeship is the right choice for them.”

BCoT principal Anthony Bravo said: “We’re one of the largest apprenticeship providers in the region and our event on Monday, 12 March promises to be one of the biggest apprenticeship recruitment fairs in the south of England.

"We have more than 40 employers booked to attend, all offering apprenticeship programmes across different areas of their business.

"As well as small companies, the big name brands will be there too such as John Lewis, Gillette, BMW and Balfour Beatty. It really is a must-see event for anyone in Basingstoke who is interested in starting an apprenticeship.”

Marketing and Apprenticeship Coordinator at Basingstoke ITEC Ann Brooker said: “We are proud to be supporting National Apprenticeship Week.

"As a local apprenticeship training provider, with more than 30 years of experience, we have supported young people to gain recognised qualifications and great work experience through this route. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone flourish on their journey.

"We hope that everyone takes advantage of all the events happening during the week to find out how amazing apprenticeships really are.”

For more information on what’s happening during National Apprenticeship Week in the borough, go to basingstoke.gov.uk/national-apprenticeship-week or for details on the national campaign go to getingofar.gov.uk or search #GetInGoFar on social media.