Apprenticeships are #NotJust a second choice to university

Residents across Worcestershire are being encouraged to follow a new social media campaign showcasing the opportunities available through apprenticeships.

Launched on Twitter and Instagram in June, the #NotJust campaign has been created by Gemma Ranford, the Digital Marketing Apprentice at Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils, with the support of Worcestershire Apprenticeships.

With individuals like Sir Ian McKellen starting out his career as an apprentice, the campaign looks to tackle misconceptions linked with becoming an apprentice, while encouraging more people to consider it as a career and not just a second choice to university.

More apprenticeship qualifications are being made available and some industries now offer degree level apprenticeships, which enable apprentices to gain work experience while studying for a degree.

#NotJust takes on a quirky and entertaining approach, whilst directing people to the Worcestershire Apprenticeships’ website, which offers information about apprenticeships, how to apply for opportunities and information on upcoming events and shows.

Throughout the campaign, local apprentices will have their say on why they chose an apprenticeship over university, and businesses will also discuss why they chose to take on an apprentice. One business featured in the campaign is Adder Bookkeeping in Pershore.

Giles Williams, Bookkeeping Apprentice at Adder Bookkeeping Ltd, said: “The work experience you get from an apprenticeship is valuable; it makes future employees much more likely to hire you because you know what it’s like to operate in a business. If you can get the same job doing an apprenticeship as you can get going to university, why would you subject yourself to so much debt when you can get paid doing an apprenticeship?” 

Phil Merrick, Head of Economy and Environmental Services at Wychavon District Council, said: “One of the main barriers to growth for a lot of small businesses is the lack of funding available for training and employing new staff. At Wychavon, our Skills Officer Sue Owens can help those businesses access funding and reach their business potential. There is Government funding available to help businesses to grow and take on apprentices, and Sue is always happy to talk to people and help them find the funding they need.”

For information about how to access funding for apprenticeships, businesses can contact Sue Owens on 01386 565525 or by emailing sue.owens@wychavon.gov.uk. For more information on apprenticeships visit www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk.

To stay up to date with the #NotJust campaign, search #NotJust on Twitter, and @not_just_worcs on Instagram.