Honorary Colonel Simon Banks-Cooper and the RFCA arranged the event at Askham Bryan College with the support from 55 of the top regional employers to give cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers an opportunity to discuss their futures through apprenticeships. The event rounded off the weeklong national celebration of Apprenticeship Week.
Simon Banks-Cooper, Honorary Colonel of Humberside and South Yorkshire ACF, who created the idea of a regional Cadet Apprenticeship and Careers Fair, says:
“This year’s careers event, the second following the success of last year’s inaugural event, has returned after popular demand. It was bigger and better with over 55 employers exhibiting on the day, all of whom wanted to engage directly with uniformed cadets.
“These employers recognise the value of the cadet experience and what cadets can bring to their organisations. This includes obvious skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership, and personal attributes such as enhanced resilience, a strong sense of accountability, self-confidence and admirable respect for others. I look forward to bringing both cadets and employers together at the event and welcoming the many opportunities it will offer them.”
Engaging with most of the employers there, there seems a real trend for companies who like to be contacted by an individual, someone who has done their homework, who shows a real passion for the company and the work they do, and who is willing to go the extra mile to help them stand out.
for those of you who were unable to make it on the day these are some of the companies who I spoke to who are seriously looking for apprentices:
ARLA are recruiting for apprentices 18 years plus and their assessment centres are held in March/April. Eligibility requirements are 5 GNCEs, with Maths and English at C grade
Website https://www.arla.com/company/job-and-career/
ASDA are looking for Retail Degree Apprenticeships. You can learn as you earn on the 4 year course in which you will complete a series of placements in store, while studying for a Level 6 (Hons) Business Management Professional and CMI status at Manchester Metropolitan University. There are entry requirements, an excellent starting salary and benefits and there are opportunities in South Yorkshire. They currently hold the silver Armed Forces Covenant. Applications for the Business Professional Apprenticeship open on the 08 March 2024, but you must be 18 in September. Asda are looking for the raw qualities that cadets demonstrate through teamwork, problem solving and leadership. ‘Ask Nick’ is one of the schemes suggested by schoolchildren which has been adopted by Asda and Aldi which is helping protect under 18 year olds.
Website www.ASDA.jobs/future-talent
ASKHAM BYRAN COLLEGE are holding a further open event which will include the Apprentice Team on the 09 March 2024. Check the website for further details and book your place on this event.
Website www.askham-bryan.ac.uk
BAE SYSTEMS Apprenticeships are open from November to February (closing date is the 28/02/2024)
Website www.baesystems.com/en/careers/careers-in-the-uk/apprenticeships
CITY OF YORK COUNCIL Supports apprenticeships with day release from school/college during term times. Applications are available from March 2024.
Website http://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship http://jobs.york.gov.uk
CML CIVIL ENGINEERING are offering apprenticeships to 18 year olds, however the company retain 98% of their apprentices.
Website https://www.cml.uk.com/work-with-us/current-vacancies/
EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE COUNCIL are recruiting for apprentices and are offering a good package including a job for a minimum of 12 months upto 48 months (depending on the qualification), a competitive salary, time to study and the same benefits as all Council staff.
Website www.eastriding.gov.uk/apprenticeships and www.getINeastriding.jobs
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY are looking for apprentices for all positions from laboratories and analytics to enforcement to office, port and field-based work including surveillance. They are also looking at recruiting adults who have a military or police background. Did you know that the rubbish in black bins go to landfill but that recycling is sent abroad to be processed?
Website www.environmentagencycareers.co.uk
GRIMSBY INSTITUTE are running appreniceships in Business Management, Transport & Logistics, Engineering & Manufacturing, Constructions Trades, Education & Training and Service Industries. The next School Leaver Open Day is on Wednesday 24 April from 5.30 to 7.30pm – check www. Grimsby.ac.uk/open-events
Website apprenticeships@grimsby.ac.uk Email myapprenticeship@grimsby.ac.uk
HOULTON SUPPLY CHAIN are recruiting, please apply by email with CV in support.
Website www.houlton.co.uk Email supplychain@houlton.co.uk
INSTITUTE FOR APPRENTICES & TECHNICAN EDUCATION are recruiting for Information Communications Technicians.
Website https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/
KH PLANT TRAINING will be holding a Women in Construction Day in August, where ladies will be able to have 1-hour slots of training on various vehicles. Places need to be booked though their website
Website www.khplanttraining.co.uk
LNER are recruiting for all positions. They brought their train driver simulator which was actually quite fun to operate.
Webiste https://lnerjobs.co.uk/jobs/job-categories/
MORDAN SINDALL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE are recruiting for apprentices from 16 years of age in September for 4 / 7 year schemes towards a Level 3 Btec.
Website https://morgansindallpropertyservices.com/working-with-us/
NETWORK RAIL are recruiting for apprenticeships, excellent training and salary packages available
Website https://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/early-careers/
NATIONAL HORSERACING COLLEGE are offering a range of courses from a Pony Racing Training Levels 1, 2 and 3 aimed at 9-15 year olds; Pony Racing Camp, 5 day training aimed at 11-15 year olds; a 12 week programme delivered on a Saturday for those who do not own, lease or loan a pony; to a two year programme to gain a Level 1 Diploma in Racehorse Care aimed at 14-16 year olds, and a 12-week residential Foundation Course (courses start every 4 weeks). There are Bursaries available but please check the website for more information. Jockeys who have previously graduated through the college are Hollie Doyle, Hayley Turner and Danny Tudhoe. In addition, new and upcoming training Rebecca Menzies also went through the College.
Website www.theNHC.co.uk Email info@theNHC.co.uk
ONESCMEDIA are recruiting!
Website careers@onescmedia.co.uk
PALLETWAYS UK LIMITED is the UK’s largest palletised freight network and are currently looking for apprentices and to recruit for all shifts, from any age and location for all sorts of opportunities in communications and transport. They are happy to receive an email from people interested in working with them.
Email recruitment@palletways.com Website www.palletways.com/en
ROYAL AIR FORCE are offering 20 different apprenticeships with an excellent starting salary, career progression and an impressive benefits package.
Email CRN-Careers-EngageNorth@mod.gov.uk
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION were there in an information capacity and to confirm what the RBL can do for cadets and not just what cadets can do for the RLB. Standard Bearer training is available at no charge, and can be arranged through your affiliated branch.
Website https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/local-community-connections#content
SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE are recruiting for Police Constable Degree Apprenticeships (minimum age to apply 17 years of age and there are eligibility requirements), Police Constables and Detectives, Special Constables, Control Room Staff and other police staff jobs.
Website www.southyorks.police.uk/sign-up/join-team-syp
SPRINGFIELD HEALTHCARE has just won a contract in South Yorkshire and is recruiting for all positions, for providing care and support for customers in their own homes, allowing them to maintain their independence and dignity. Looking for 17 year olds to work towards Nursing Associate Degree without attending university. Excellent salary, training opportunities, recognition and rewards, and support.
Website www.springfieldhealthcare.com Email info@springfieldhealthcare.com
STEP INTO HEALTH connects armed forces leavers, veterans, reservists and cadet adult volunteers with NHS organisations for access to employer opportunities, and there are currently 350 roles within the NHS which are well suited to the skill set.
Website www.militarystepintohealth.nhs.uk Email stepintohealth@nhsemployers.org
SUPERFREIGHT INTERNATIONAL are recruiting for apprentices. Lisa Feathersone, General Manager said “Invest in your people, and they will stay. Apprenticeships are not just for teenagers. Apply for a position within the company at a level where you can get experience, as your next step up. Courses can be anything from 12-18 months. What goes around, comes around because once the apprentices have graduated, they know the process and can share that with those coming through the system”.
Website https://www.sfinternational.co.uk/careers/
TETRA TECH are recruiting for apprenticeships. Evan who is currently going through the apprenticeship scheme said “I did my A levels, and then deferred a year until the apprenticeships were open. My experience has been really good because what I am learning in the classroom I am able to implement in the workplace, because it is relevant. The benefit of the apprenticeship is that I can study at university, get the qualifications I want along with the experience in the workplace, and not incur any student debt. The Graduateships are excellent for those who have a military background because we look for leadership, decision making and discipline.”
Website https://www.tetratech.com/careers/
THE TRUEAST ALLIANCE, funded through the Department of Transport and delivered through Network Rail are working to improve the Transpennine route from Leeds to York which isa multi-billion pound programme of railway improvements. Each company involved in the project are offering multiple apprentice opportunities throughout the year. Consists of 70 miles of railway, 6 miles of tunnels, dozens of bridges and viaducts, 23 stations, 30 level crossings. This is a real opportunity for jobs for local people with 80% of the workforce living within a 40 mile radius of the route.
Website www.theTRUupgrade.co.uk
WAINWRIGHTS CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY CONSULTANTS are recruiting for 17 year old apprentices with an interest in maths and the sciences, through their website.
Website www.wainwrights.uk.com
YORK COLLEGE are recruiting for apprenticeships, minimum age of 16 years of age, with options for Business, Construction, Engineering, Hair & Beauty, Hospitality, Science and Sports.
Website www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk www.yorkcollege.ac.uk www.amazingapprenticeships.com/about-ask
Email apprenticeships@yorkcollege.ac.uk for more information
TIPS FOR APPLYING FOR A VACANCY ONLINE
- Look for companies who are offering apprenticeships.
- There is a difference between an apprentice training scheme provider and a company who invests in its apprentices.
- Read the job description carefully to be sure the role is for you.
- Research the company so you can show a genuine interest in working for them.
- Check what the retention rate for apprentices is.
- Ask if there are work experience opportunities.
- Check you can travel there and back.
- Make sure you meet all the qualification requirements, including predicted grades and work experience/voluntary experience
- Give examples of your strengths and link them to the job requirements
- Check your application when completed, or ask someone to check it for you before applying
