Major regional employers will be on the lookout for new talent when the annual Get Up and Go apprenticeship fair takes place this week.
Organised by North Tyneside Council as part of our National Apprentice Week celebrations, the virtual event on Saturday February 12 will showcase the many opportunities apprenticeships can offer to anyone looking to take their next steps.
Over 20 employers and education providers are signed up and will be online to share information about their organisations and answer questions.
Apprenticeships are available to anyone aged over 16 in careers spanning all sectors – from digital to horticulture, health to floristry or care work to engineering.
Among the companies exhibiting is global tech firm Accenture. Accenture’s Advanced Technology Centre, based in the borough’s Cobalt Business Park, is a thriving technology and innovation hub from where the 700-strong team deliver high quality services to a number of private and public sector clients.
Chloe Thompson, 23, began her career with the company six years ago after hearing about its apprenticeship programme at a Get Up and Go fair.
The winner of the North East’s Best Female Apprentice Award in 2016, she now has a BSc in Computer Software engineering from the University of Sunderland under her belt and works as an applications support engineer helping NHS workers to fix their problems so that they can continue with their work.
She said: “I heard about the fair from a poster at school when I was about 16 and I was trying to figure out what to do next after high school. You are shown a whole bunch of opportunities right in front of you. It’s a great way to find out your next step.
“I think apprenticeships are a brilliant way to start your career, there are so many opportunities - you get hands on experience, you get paid to go to university and you are surrounded by colleagues of all different ages who can support you.”
Karen Marshall, Apprentice, Education and Engagement Lead at Accenture, said: “North Tyneside has always been a key region for us when it comes to nurturing talent, particularly through our apprenticeship programme.
“We’re proud that our North Tyneside operations are set to play an important role within Accenture’s ambitious growth plans across the North.”
Other organisations taking part include Newcastle Building Society, EE, Baltic Training, The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Northumbria Healthcare and North Tyneside Council. There will also be training providers and organisations offering various volunteering opportunities.
Advisers from the council’s Connexions service will be at the event to offer any advice or information, if necessary.
North Tyneside Elected mayor, Norma Redfearn CBE, said: “We take apprenticeships seriously here in North Tyneside and our annual Get Up and Go event is a real celebration of the opportunities on offer here in the borough.
“Apprenticeships can be a great way to start a career, giving people the chance to make a difference right from the start and they are great for businesses too – allowing them to invest in their talent pipeline, making sure they have the skills they’ll need in the future.”
Get Up and Go takes place on Saturday 12 February from 10am to 12pm.
For more information and to register visit National Apprenticeship Week 2022 – Employment & Skills North Tyneside