A ‘super busy’ week celebrating National Apprenticeship Week at Bournemouth and Poole College has been declared a big success.

The college is the biggest apprenticeship provider in Dorset with around 2,200 apprentices among its 11,000-strong student population.

Last year – and as reported on Dorset Biz News – it was ranked 11^th out of 162 colleges in the Department for Education’s latest national achievement rate tables for its apprenticeships.

In two categories – digital marketing and electrical – it took the number one position.

That was out of all the further education providers in the UK.

National Apprenticeship Week was held from February 8 to 14.

Its aims were to shine a light on the amazing work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.

Highlights at Bournemouth and Poole College included:

• Apprenticeships Unlocked virtual event with almost 400 attendees logging on to watch.
• Four live Instagram interviews hosted by Carina George, Digital Account Manager. Carina interviewed a current Digital Marketing apprentice, an ex-apprentice and two employers – Andy Headington, CEO, Adido, and Lewis Barr, Marketing Manager, Frettens Solicitors.
• Thirteen virtual classroom discussions in total with more 500 students attending.
• Eleven live guests throughout the week with more participating in recorded videos.
• Participation from local companies, from engineering to digital marketing agencies.
• Social media campaigns for the College and the BASE team.
• Sharing inspiring stories as well as employability resources to boost CVs during a pandemic
• Article on how an apprentice can change your business in collaboration with Street Agency.

Carina said: “It has been a super busy week but filled with so much positivity around apprenticeships.

“We have engaged with numerous local businesses across Dorset and educated the local community on apprenticeships and what is available at the college.

“I think it can be a challenging time at the moment for students choosing their next career steps.

“But we didn’t want the pandemic ruining their chances of being exposed to what is on offer other than university degrees.

“We have really used technology to our advantage by hosting lots of various virtual offerings.”

The BASE team (Business, Apprenticeships, Skills and Employability) at the College is headed by Matt Butcher.

Currently the College offers 28 separate apprenticeships.

They range from accountancy, beauty and brickwork through to engineering, hospitality and marine.

Around 1,000 businesses have apprentices at the College, typically spending one day a week on campus and four days with the company.

Apprenticeship lengths can range from a minimum of one year and a day to six years for a degree apprenticeship in engineering.

• thecollege.co.uk