February 23rd - 27th marked England's second annual National Apprenticeship Week and Weymouth College celebrated by hosting a breakfast event for both apprentices and their employers to champion the benefits that apprenticeships bring to companies in the local area. Over sixty apprentices and employers attended the event from all sectors of business and industry including representatives from Dorset Police, BAE Systems, Magna Housing, Wessex Property Services, Barrett Electrical , Dorchester Guild, C&J Bench, Lee Electrical, .Pride Electrical, Mustoe Shorter Solicitors, Stone Firms Ltd and Southern Electric amongst others.

The Rt Hon Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Schools was on hand to address the audience and talk about new initiatives and future plans for apprenticeships programmes.

Sue Moore, Principal at Weymouth College said: "We are delighted to have so many of our apprentices and employers with us today to celebrate the start of National Apprenticeship Week. It gives us an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and raise the profile of apprenticeship programmes and also to remind employers of the vital role apprentices play in today's industries and companies up and down the country.
Apprenticeships are a key solution to combat the downturn and represents a cornerstone of the Government's strategy to increase UK competitiveness. Over £1billion has already been pledged to invest in Apprenticeship programmes next year. Weymouth College has an outstanding success rate for apprentices, the highest in the region and they cover over 200 work placements in a variety of industries in the local area. This celebration event also gives us an ideal opportunity to pay tributes to achievements of employers as well as apprentices involved in work based learning and remind everyone of the benefits and opportunities apprenticeship programmes provide."

Danielle Morrissey who is in her second year of an Apprenticeship programme in Administration with Dorset Police said: "I have really enjoyed my training placement with Dorset Police and have gained valuable experience over the last two years. I am hoping to progress on to the advanced Apprenticeship programme in the near future and I would recommend the programme to anyone who wants to learn on the job, earn money whilst at the same time gaining nationally recognised qualifications."

The National Apprenticeship Week is co-ordinated by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who will be celebrating the achievements of apprentices across all sectors through events, interviews, web chats and activities underlining the real benefits of apprenticeships following the government's commitment to increase the number of apprenticeships across all sectors to 400,000 by 2020.

Apprenticeships are currently available at Weymouth College in:

• Customer Services
• Business and Administration
• Brickwork
• Hospitality and Catering
• Carpentry & Joinery
• Electrical Installation
• Hairdressing
• Motor Cycle & Motor Vehicle
• Painting & Decorating
• Plumbing
• Stonemasonry
• Health and Social Care
• Dental Nursing