PUPILS from St Augustine's College were given an insight into the benefits of taking up an apprenticeship during a careers day earlier this month.

The Year 10 students heard from officers from Wiltshire Council who spoke about how despite popular opinion, an apprenticeship is a real job with a salary, which enables the apprentice to gain a nationally recognised qualification up to master’s degree level.

Kieran Jenkins is currently an apprentice at Wiltshire Council, completing a Level 3 Civil Engineering course while working as a bridge technician in the highways team and was on hand to tell the pupils what it was like to be an apprentice.

He said: “I am really enjoying working at the council while doing my civil engineering course. I’ve learnt an awful lot and the experience I’ve gained is going to be crucial for my career in the future. I would like to continue to progress through the levels and am hoping to eventually gain a degree level qualification, which I could achieve without the student debt of my friends who are at university and be a step ahead of them as I would have the experience to go with it.”

Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, cabinet member responsible for economic development, added: “I’m really pleased that the workshops have been a success. Apprenticeships are great platforms for young people to work in organisations while still learning. We’re very passionate about offering apprenticeships at Wiltshire Council and take enormous pride in watching our apprentices grow as well as those in the county overall.”

Wiltshire Council will be celebrating the achievements of their apprentices at a graduation ceremony on October 6 at Salisbury Cathedral.

For more information on apprenticeships contact Wiltshire Council on 01225 716890 or email wiltshire.apprenticeships@wiltshire.gov.uk.