Tresham College apprentices champion apprenticeships through Young Inspirers programme

During National Apprenticeship Week, Tresham College in Corby, part of The Bedford College Group, is proudly celebrating the success of its involvement in the Young Inspirers programme, created by South Midlands Careers Hub.

Through the programme, second- and third-year Engineering apprentices from Tresham College are working with local schools and communities to promote apprenticeships and share first-hand insights with young people.

Young Inspirers was created to support secondary schools in meeting their Provider Access Legislation (PAL) requirements, ensuring students are informed about the full range of Post-16 and Post-18 pathways, including apprenticeships and technical education.

As part of the programme, apprentices are visiting secondary schools and community settings to speak directly to students about what apprenticeships involve, what it is like to combine work and study and the opportunities available through vocational routes. The sessions are peer-led, helping school students hear relatable, honest insights from young people closer to their own age.

Early in the programme’s development, Clare Shemilt, Group Training Manager –  Electrical and Engineering Apprenticeships at The Bedford College Group, and Dan Barker, Apprenticeships Group Training Manager for Engineering at Tresham College, played a key role in supporting apprentice engagement and championing the value of volunteering. The induction sessions have been co-presented by Helen Russell, Founder and Director of The Right Track Consultancy, whose expertise in Engineering apprenticeships has proven invaluable in preparing apprentices for their outreach role.

Since then, Tresham College’s Engineering Apprenticeship Department has worked in partnership with the South Midlands Careers Hub to further develop the programme and support apprentices to engage with local schools and promote vocational pathways.

The initiative has been warmly welcomed by Career Leaders across North Northamptonshire, who highlighted the value of apprentices speaking openly about their own journeys and helping students better understand apprenticeships as a positive progression route.

The programme has received strong support from employers, who have enabled apprentices to take time away from their roles to volunteer. Among the most engaged apprentices were Lewis Chandler and Will Owen from Tata Steel, and Zak Lowe from Zeeco Europe. Angela Bryden, Site Training & Development Lead at Tata Steel, has been a passionate advocate of the Young Inspirers programme and a key supporter of participating apprentices.

As part of the programme, a dedicated boys’ engagement programme at Montsaye Academy, in Rothwell near Kettering, supported students who were unsure about their next steps. Delivered in a smaller-group format, the sessions encouraged open conversation, questions and reflection, helping students build confidence and identify what matters to them when thinking about future education, training and work.

Claire Coles, Careers Consultant at The Bedford College Group, said:

“Over the past 2 years, the Young Inspirers’ technical & vocational pathway initiative has gone from strength to strength with the support of the Tresham College Engineering Department. Clare Shemilt and Dan Barker were key in promoting this volunteering opportunity to Engineering Apprentices. In collaboration with the South Midlands Careers Hub, together we have been able to direct the enthusiasm of a group of dedicated apprentices, keen to bust misconceptions and provide a true picture of the life of an apprentice to promote this challenging yet rewarding career option.”

Clare Shemilt, Group Training Manager – Electrical and Engineering Apprenticeships at The Bedford College Group, continued:

“Having previously been a careers adviser in apprenticeships, I’m passionate about making sure young people receive clear, meaningful and realistic information about their future pathways. Supporting the South Midlands Careers Hub and the development of the Young Inspirers’ programme has been incredibly rewarding.

“Seeing our own apprentices grow in confidence while inspiring students to consider the wide range of vocational routes available to them and watching our own apprentice’s step into local schools and share their journeys, with real authenticity, has been a highlight.

“I’m proud of the strong partnership we’ve built. I’m excited to see the programme grow further as we expand into additional apprenticeship pathways and continue helping young people understand the opportunities open to them.”

Kim Knight, Career Guidance and Education Lead at Montsaye Academy, shared:

“The collaboration between the Young Inspirers Project and the Boys’ Impact Project has been an invaluable experience for our selected students. It has helped them explore the wide range of pathways available after GCSEs through engaging activities both in school and during our visit to the college. Our students thoroughly enjoyed touring the workshops and gaining first-hand insight into what a ‘typical’ day looks like for an apprentice. It was wonderful to see the relationships forming between the apprentices and our boys, and the support from everyone involved has been greatly appreciated. We look forward to continuing this exciting project.”

Zak Lowe, Level 3 engineer fitter, working in oil and gas fitting for Zeeco Europe LTD, added:

“It is nerve wracking to present in front of a crowd, but we are really supported and we always present in groups. It’s also interesting to learn from other apprentices outside our group and speak to them about their experiences. So far, we have been to KBA, Southfields, Montsaye, and Latimer Arts, to name a few.

“Sometimes, we even invite secondary schools into the college so they can see all the tools and fancy gadgets, which lights them up, you can really see it inspiring them.

“I was a student that was lost, and I hadn’t had much guidance. I went to and inevitably dropped out of university, so it feels good to help someone. It builds your confidence, it’s a good feeling all around.

“My employer is very supportive of this scheme to help recruit more apprentices, and they are fine with me missing time here and there to do the programme.”

Inspiring the next generation

The Young Inspirers role is entirely voluntary, allowing apprentices to develop skills such as confidence, communication and leadership while supporting others. Following the programme’s success with Engineering apprentices, there are plans to expand Young Inspirers to include additional apprenticeship pathways in the future.

Through its involvement in the Young Inspirers programme, The Bedford College Group are helping to raise awareness of apprenticeships, support social mobility and inspire the next generation of skilled professionals.

Find out more

To find out more about the apprenticeship opportunities available across The Bedford College Group, visit https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/study/apprenticeships/