A recent Apprenticeship showcase has been hailed a huge success by its organisers and funders with students from a number of schools and colleges in the North West getting the chance to learn about a range of pathways to enter employment or education.
The North West Apprenticeship Showcase, delivered by GEMX and supported by the Labour Market Partnership within Derry City and Strabane District Council, invited students from across the Council area to get a fresh perspective on educational pathways, spotlighting the apprenticeship route as a prime avenue for both employers and educators to identify and nurture talent among prospective employees.
Labour Market Partnerships are funded by the Department for Communities and create targeted employment action plans for Council areas which allow for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.
Attendees at the North West Apprenticeship Showcase were presented with insights into the apprenticeship route as a vital pathway to education alongside employment.
Employers expressed a keen interest in recognising talent and promoting the apprenticeship route to facilitate both personal and professional growth in their workforce.
Education providers and local companies from across the city and region took part in the event offering advice and assistance on the opportunities that exist for students.
Representatives from Ulster University and North West Regional College, shared valuable information and explained the role they play as education providers within the apprenticeship process.
They highlighted how apprenticeships can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.
Additionally, insights from industry leaders such as TEREX, FAST Technologies and Flemings provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the positive impact apprenticeships can have within many sectors.
A panel discussion, featuring representatives from MEGA, TEREX, Fujitsu, Pytilia and Disability Action, engaged attendees in discussions on how apprenticeships can enhance company culture and drive innovation.
Attendees were encouraged to explore partnerships with educational institutions to shape apprenticeship programs that align with their workforce needs and drive sustainable growth.
Both UU and NWRC are keen to develop pathways within their provision to meet the need of local industry and attract the best talent to the local labour market.
Paul Kirkpatrick, Chair of GEMX and Capital, Reliability and Maintenance Manager at DuPont, praised GEMX’s commitment to nurturing talent and empowering employers to shape the future of their workforce.
Kevin O’Connor from Derry City and Strabane District Council emphasised the significance of recognising the value of apprenticeships in elevating the workforce and helping to address some of the gaps that exist in the local labour market.
This event served as a catalyst for shaping the future workforce and nurturing talent.
Joanne Sweeney, Project Director of GEMX, deemed the event a huge success in achieving its objective of proactively building a resilient, skilled, and innovative workforce in the North West.
GEMX is supported by Invest NI under its Collaborative Growth Programme.
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