Students '˜rise to the top' in Apprenticeship Week

Two students becoming MPs for the day and a College principal going 'back to the floor' were just two of Nelson and Colne College's National Apprenticeship Week highlights.
Nelson and Colne principal Amanda Melton visiting apprentice Cameron Monk on a visit to Hope Tech.  (s)Nelson and Colne principal Amanda Melton visiting apprentice Cameron Monk on a visit to Hope Tech.  (s)
Nelson and Colne principal Amanda Melton visiting apprentice Cameron Monk on a visit to Hope Tech. (s)

One of this year’s key themes was “rise to the top” and to celebrate, Nelson and Colne College principal Amanda Melton paid a visit to bike part manufacturer Hope Tech, in Barnoldswick, to see apprentice Cameron Monk on his journey to his dream job.

Amanda was given a full tour of the impressive site, in Calf Hall Road, and was able to speak to Cameron and Hope Tech’s works manager Lindley Pate about the benefits of apprenticeships.

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“It was wonderful to spend time with Cameron and Lindley as part of National Apprenticeship Week and see the fabulous Hope Tech site,” said Amanda. “By doing an apprenticeship, Cameron is able to get a nationally recognised qualification, while earning money and gaining skills and understanding in a real work environment – benefitting both him and his employer. I am positive he will continue to thrive with Hope Tech and ‘rise to the top’ to his ideal job in the Research and Development department.”

Cameron (18), from Burnley, said: “University wasn’t really for me and I wanted experience of the workplace – doing an apprenticeship is a lot of fun, and I am able to put the practical skills I learn at college to use in industry. If your learning style is more hands on, then I would definitely recommend doing an apprenticeship.”

Other activities taking place included students giving an insight into a typical day as an apprentice on social media, and two students shadowing Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson for the day to become apprentice MPs.

Syed Jawad Ali (17), from Nelson, and Aaron Hamilton, (22), from Burnley, got to speak to Mr Stephenson about the role of MP, and accompany him on a range of visits, including to Barnoldswick’s Silentnight to talk about apprenticeships, Brierfield Library to speak to In Situ and Super Slow Way and Nelson and Colne College for the Rotary BAE Systems Technical Tournament.

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Former Pendle Vale College Syed, who studies law, history, sociology, and religion and philosophy, said: “Shadowing Andrew has been an eye-opening experience, and I feel like my confidence in public speaking has increased a lot.”

Aaron (22), who is part of the North West Young Apprentice Ambassador Network, added: “It has been good for me to see what Andrew thinks about apprenticeships and how he wants to support them.”

Anybody looking to become an apprentice or employers wanting to know more about the benefits of apprenticeships can visit www.nelson.ac.uk or contacting 01282 440319.