This National Apprenticeship Week, we are celebrating the impact apprenticeships have on our students, both past and present. Apprenticeships play a vital role in developing practical skills, recognised qualifications, and confidence—whether as a first step after education or for career progression.

 

Students at Barrow Hall College take part in a wide range of apprenticeship events throughout their time at college, exploring opportunities in finance, construction, building and surveying, policing, marketing, business, management, sciences, health, engineering, and more. They also have the chance to work with leading employers such as Amazon, AstraZeneca, Barclays, the BBC, Bentley, Coca-Cola, GlaxoSmithKline, United Utilities, Virgin Media, Unilever, and Fujitsu.

 

Alumni Success Stories

Many of our students go on to take up apprenticeships after finishing their studies. To mark the week, we spoke to former students about their experiences and how their apprenticeships have shaped their career paths.

 

Hermione chose a degree apprenticeship with Merseyside Police to avoid taking on student debt and pursue a role outside the conventional 9-to-5. The apprenticeship allows her to gain hands-on experience while earning a degree, combining university study with real-world work. She can directly apply knowledge from her shifts to assignments, enjoy the university experience, and benefit from smaller class sizes and more personalised support.

 

Heather, a Level 5 and 6 Mechanical Design Engineering apprentice with Sellafield Ltd, pursued the apprenticeship route to gain recognised qualifications while working alongside experienced engineers. She has developed skills in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and mechanical principles, applying them to real-world engineering projects. Heather believes the experience gained will enable her to progress into senior engineering roles in the future.

 

Thomas completed his Business Consultant Degree Apprenticeship specialising in Digital Transformation with Fujitsu. He chose this path for the combination of a paid university degree and industry experience, putting him two years ahead of peers. The apprenticeship provided financial independence and valuable professional experience, allowing him to avoid student debt.

 

Charley studied a Level 3 HR Support apprenticeship with CIPD at Sunbelt Rentals. She found the blend of learning and career development far more rewarding than the traditional university path. Charley has benefited from a strong network of fellow apprentices across the company, sharing progress and supporting each other. Her experience has reinforced her decision, and she looks forward to building on these foundations to achieve further professional success.

 

Looking to the Future

Alongside celebrating alumni, we are proud to focus on our current Year 13 students, who are actively applying for apprenticeships and planning their next steps toward successful careers.

 

Jessica is applying for the Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Apprenticeship at United Utilities. She explained, “I chose the apprenticeship pathway to gain work experience while completing a degree. I hope to gain hands-on experience in a lab alongside studying, and I’m also exploring options through UCAS for an Environmental Science degree.”

 

Jessica is making the most of the support offered by the college, submitting applications for both pathways to ensure she covers all her bases. Her commitment reflects the proactive approach our students take in planning for their futures.

 

Alongside Jessica, several other students are beginning their apprenticeship applications, with interests spanning Sports Journalism, Astrophysics, and many other fields. Their diverse ambitions highlight the wide range of opportunities apprenticeships can provide and the variety of career paths available at Barrow Hall College.

 

We are incredibly proud of all our students, past and present, who have chosen apprenticeships as a route to further learning and career development. Their determination and enthusiasm demonstrate the lasting value apprenticeships bring to individuals and the wider community.