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11 Aug 2009 10:32:03
“You’re hired!” – the words immortalised by Alan Sugar must have been music to the ears of five teenage apprentices snapped up by the University of Bedfordshire.
The five applicants, aged from 18 to 19, are getting a helping hand at the University of Bedfordshire’s Luton campus from this September courtesy of an innovative scheme run by Barnfield College Luton in partnership with the University.
Three, Sarah Lempriere and Erica Huber (both Registry) and Margaret Dunne (HR), will be involved in the business administration apprenticeship, and the others, Nathan Ashby and Ciaran Dolan, are doing the IT apprenticeship within the CATS (Creative Arts, Technologies and Science) faculty.
The five were among 13 applicants invited to the launch of the ground-breaking Government-backed apprenticeship scheme at Barnfield College Luton.
The scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, aims to attract 16 to 19 year olds into public sector roles.
Heeren Parbhoo, the University of Bedfordshire’s Deputy Director of Human Resources, said: “It’s a great initiative for the education sector and the partnership working between the University of Bedfordshire and Barnfield continues to progress very well.
“It’s a good opportunity for us here at the University of Bedfordshire to be a key part of this innovative apprenticeship scheme.”
The Barnfield Apprenticeship Academy Scheme (BAAS) offers a gold standard in public sector education apprenticeships, providing apprentices and employers with a wealth of benefits over and above standard apprenticeship schemes.
The scheme was launched at the special ceremony by two Government ministers - Lord Young, Minister at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and Lord McKenzie of Luton.
The quartet representing the University of Bedfordshire at the launch were the Vice Chancellor, Professor Les Ebdon CBE, Marcus Woolley, John Stephens and Heeren Parbhoo.
Also attending were senior representatives of the other scheme partners – Farley Hill Junior School, Downside Junior School, Lea Manor, Cardinal Newman, John Bunyan and Barnfield South and Barnfield West Academies.
The apprenticeships should last up to three years depending on the type of scheme.
Pete Birkett, chief executive of Barnfield College and chairman of Barnfield Academies, is the Government’s chief advisor on public sector education apprenticeships.
He said: “Given the current economic climate, I felt Barnfield needed to take the lead and create a public sector apprenticeship scheme that will ensure young people are equipped with the skills necessary for a sustained career.
“Many young people may not consider the public sector as a career. We wanted to show there are many paths to consider within education. I am hopeful other colleges up and down the country will follow our example.”
Latest news» 2009» August» Five young apprentices to start this September
