Discover amazing apprenticeship opportunities!

Written By Tatiana Middleton

What University? & What Career? Live is back in Birmingham – here’s how to make the most out of your visit.

As National Apprenticeship Week wraps up this February, we are continuing to shine a spotlight on the importance of apprenticeship programs in providing young people with hands-on training, essential skills, and pathways to successful careers across various industries.

Attending events like What University? & What Career? Live at the NEC, Birmingham, on 1 & 2 March 2024 is the perfect opportunity to speak to leading employers and apprenticeship providers and discover some of the incredible opportunities available right now for school leavers. Visitors to this year's event will have the opportunity to talk to the BBC, KPMG, NHS, Get into Teaching and many more companies about taking the next steps on their apprenticeship journey.

To take full advantage of the event, here are our top 5 tips to help you make the most out of your visit:

Come prepared

Visit the website in advance to see who’s exhibiting and the talk timetable - make a list of universities/colleges and employers you want to find out more about and what you’d like to ask them. Consider drafting your CV and bringing a printout. Don’t be put off by not having a lot to put on there – you can get help with that (see tip 3)!

Hear from experts

Watch as many presentations as possible that cover your interests, whether it’s a career in health, a degree apprenticeship or your future in the creative industries. You may be surprised by the options out there and you might discover possibilities you didn’t even know existed!

Get all the free advice available – and be hands-on!

Careers advisors, workshops and other drop-in advice centers are there to help you – yes, you! Improve your employability and hone your confidence in a future skills workshop or take along your current resumé for an upgrade at the CV Clinic.

Visit the dedicated support hubs

Thinking about a career in the arts or media? Head over to the Creative Hub to discover how you could unleash your talent through an apprenticeship. Or unsure how to pick the right career for you? Get one-to-one advice from independent careers advisors in the Advice Lounge. If you want guidance on employment support or higher education for people with disabilities, or how social mobility and contextual offers affect you, speak to the advisors in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Zone.

Ask lots of questions! For example –

For employers:

  • What type of apprenticeships do you offer?

  • What are you looking for in potential candidates for your apprenticeship scheme?

  • How long does it take to progress in the company?

For universities/colleges:

  • Do you work with any employers to deliver degree apprenticeships?

  • What is student life like in the town/city you are based?

  • Tell me about employability – what do your graduates go on to do?

It’s not over after the event! If you still have questions unanswered or found something appealing that you want to pursue, follow up while it is fresh in your mind.

As you explore the event, ask for the contact details of people that you speak to, or find out who you should contact if you have any further queries, so you know where to go if you remember an important question on your way home!

For the full rundown of what’s going on at the event, and to book your free ticket to What University? & What Career? Live on 1 & 2 March 2024, visit WhatCareerLive.co.uk

Tatiana Middleton