Release Your Potential during Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week (5-9 Feb)

Wednesday 31 January 2024

The Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week is back for 2024 and will showcase how apprenticeships can transform the future of apprentices and businesses by helping them release their potential.

  Running from 5-9 February, the annual week-long celebration Is led by the Department for the Economy and will raise the profile of apprenticeships across Northern Ireland by bringing together partners including local councils, employers, universities, further education colleges and private training providers.

Ards and North Down Borough Council, together with South Eastern Regional College (SERC), are supporting the Week and SERC will be holding a number of 'Apprenticeships - all you need to know' information evenings in Bangor on Tuesday 6 February and in Newtownards on Thursday 8 February from 4.30pm - 7pm.

A team of expert tutors and support staff will be on hand to offer advice and guidance while tours of the facilities will be provided, giving would-be apprentices the opportunity to learn more about available opportunities in a wide range of sectors. No booking is necessary, just turn up on the day.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said:

"Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week provides an opportunity for everyone involved in apprenticeships, whether it be as an apprentice or as an employer, or those who are simply interested in finding out more, to come together during a week-long programme of events. It allows apprentices to get a valuable insight into their chosen sector and gain key skills while businesses across the Borough have a chance to expand their workforce with talented apprentices who are eager to learn."

Following NI Apprenticeship Week, the 2024 Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards will take place on Wednesday 27 March. For more information, including a full list of events taking place during the Week, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/apprenticeship-week-events

Photo caption: Richard Sittlington (Deputy Head of School for Computing, SERC); Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour; Clement Athanasiou (Director of Apprenticeships, Careers and Vocational Education, Department for the Economy); and Andrea Foster (Apprenticeship Development Manager, SERC). Image: Graham Baalham-Curry.