New College Pontefract A-Level and BTEC students have secured apprenticeships despite a significant national shortfall in places. The students attended selection days across the country and fought off tough competition to secure apprenticeship placements following their studies at New College Pontefract, with a number of students still being supported through the selection process.
Danielle Ramsden, Chelsie Gledhill, Leah Wood, Will Crossland, Luke Fellows, Owen McMullan, Liam Senior, Olivia Hargreaves and Matthew Harris were all successful applicants.
Helen Lonsdale, Employability Co-ordinator said: “We are very proud of the tremendous success of our students in securing these apprenticeships. Our students will be going to work for companies such as Wakefield Council, Plexus Law, HSBC, Ernst and Young, Coca-Cola, SNF and Bellingham IT. Many of these opportunities include full sponsorship to complete a university degree. They have demonstrated key employability skills and a determination to succeed against other candidates.”
To support them in achieving their chosen career path, the Year 13 students took part in the college’s weekly employability tutorials with support from their progress tutors and the careers team. Parents and students were invited to an Apprenticeship Evening at New College Pontefract to inform them of the increasing opportunities for Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships.
Richard Fletcher, Principal at New College Pontefract said: “Their success reflects the sustained hard work of the students and staff who work with our apprenticeship applications and illustrates that there are a number of routes into higher education. Many of our students progress to Russell Group universities and, with the government initiative to increase the number of apprenticeships, there are exciting opportunities for our students to secure apprenticeships with excellent prospects for the future.”
