EM3 Degree Apprenticeship Fair proved to be a great success

The EM3 Careers Hub and Esher Sixth Form College Degree Apprenticeship Fair proved to be a great success attracting more than 1,700 students and parents who heard first-hand from employers and current Apprentices of the benefits of undertaking a Degree or Higher Apprenticeship.

The event held at the college in Thames Ditton, Surrey, was aimed at Year 12 and 13 students, aged between 15 and 18, from schools and colleges located in East Hampshire and East Surrey, and in the south-west of the M25 area.

Major employers, including, Amazon, BP, the Royal Navy and Unilever exhibited at the fair, along with education and training providers from the University of Portsmouth and the HEON Higher Education Outreach Network.

A programme of informative breakout sessions was also held, covering apprenticeships in the NHS, Metropolitan Police, with building firm Willmott Dixon and multinational Proctor & Gamble.

The fair focused on Higher Apprenticeships, which are equivalent to a foundation degree and above, and Degree Apprenticeships that are equivalent to a full Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.

The value of these apprenticeships is becoming more widely recognised by employers who are keen to attract talented young people with competitive packages.

Recruiting apprentices is increasingly seen as a productive and effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

For students, they offer an opportunity to learn while they earn, receiving hands-on training, while completing their studies, without paying tuition fees or taking out student loans.

EM3 Careers Hub Enterprise Coordinator Jan Champney said: “There are a huge number of exciting opportunities available for students looking to study for a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship, with many employers ready to recruit for a 2023 start now.”

“That’s why we were so please to see so many employers taking the time to attend the fair. Equally, it was wonderful to see so many students and their parents come along to talk directly to employers and most importantly Apprentices themselves, to find out about their organisations, discuss their programmes and recruitment processes.”

Esher Sixth Form College Director of Progression Guidance, Nicola Wilberforce, said: “We were delighted to welcome so many young people to Esher Sixth Form College for the inaugural EM3 supported Degree Apprenticeship Fair. An enthusiastic buzz enveloped the Sports Hall as current apprentices, several of whom were alumni of Esher College and local schools, described their working lives and the reasons why they chose this progression route after sixth form.”