Last updated 17:24, Sunday, 23 November 2008

BRIGHT careers lay ahead for the first Furness students to complete the Young Apprenticeship programme. They started the construction course at 14.

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By Natalie Chapples

BRIGHT careers lay ahead for the first Furness students to complete the Young Apprenticeship programme.

They started the construction course at 14.

Now, two years on, the first cohort of young apprentices have passed and are ready to pursue careers through further study and training.

The students have spent two days of their school week at Furness College to achieve the qualification.

College tutors have trained the 22 young apprentices in the areas of joinery, bricklaying, electrical installation and plumbing on the industry-specific vocational programme.

The students have also had up to 50 days training on the job alongside professionals from local firms.

The 16-year-olds were presented with their certificates during a celebration event to mark Furness 14-19 partnerships contribution to Cumbria’s 14-19 beacon status.

Furness is one of only two partnerships in the North West able to run young apprenticeship courses.

Family, tutors and teachers were at the college to see the presentation by Mark Nicholson, the assistant principal at Furness College.

Mr Nicholson told Learning: “We are delighted with the first cohort of young apprentices. It is a proud day for the college

“Only two partnerships in the North West were able to run the young apprenticeship courses.

“The students come from all the local schools. They learn at college two days a week which is a model replicated by the Diplomas.

“It requires a considerable level of maturity. The young apprentices spend up to 50 days in the work place.Work experience is such a big part of this.”

The young apprentices are going on to a range of routes including apprenticeships with BAE Systems and other companies, the Army Air Corps, Furness College courses in joinery, bricklaying and electrical and A Levels.

Ross Wadsworth, 16, won Furness College’s Young Apprentice award.

The former Parkview pupil is one of just six people to be accepted for a Kimberly-Clark apprenticeship after hundreds applied.

Ross starts the mechanical craft apprenticeship this month.

(AUGUST) He had also had offers from BAE Systems and GEN II.

Ross said: “I’m ecstatic about being accepted into Kimberly-Clark. I feel I may not have been accepted without the opportunity the college course has opened up for me.

“This is a great example of all the accomplishments that younger students on the same course as myself are able to achieve.

“I feel prepared. I originally took the young apprenticeship course because it opens up big opportunities. I feel great that I had a variety of offers. I would not have been able to do it without this course and the support of my tutors and my parents.

“Having this one of a kind qualification gives me lots of ways to go. It’s an amazing opportunity.”

Ross did his course placements with D&S Property Maintenance and he got holiday work through the firm.

Ross’ dad, Mark Wadsworth, said: “We are very proud. At first they said it was a bit of a trial, juggling school and college, but it’s been very good and it’s opened up lots of options for him.”

Tom Holmes, 16, has been offered a BAE apprenticeship as he wants to do pipe fabrication.

Tom, who has just left Dowdales School, said: “I’m looking forward to the BAE apprenticeship.

“The course has done a lot for me. When you go to look for a job you can stand out.

“I did the course because I was interested in construction and it’s what I wanted to do when I left school so I felt it was a good route.

“I enjoyed the course. I like the practical side. You get broad skills in joinery, bricklaying, plumbing and electrical. If you want to get into construction when you leave school it’s a good opportunity. You are two years ahead of everyone else because you were doing it before you left school.

“You become mature, especially coming to college because you’re in an adult environment and doing working experience.”

Tom also did his placement with D&S Property Maintenance. The company has offered him work over the holidays.

The successful first cohort of young apprentices in construction are;

In September last year the college also started a motor industry young apprenticeship.