City College gives full backing to Apprenticeship Week

With National Apprenticeship Week, (6-10 February) in full swing, City College Brighton and Hove is showing its commitment to apprenticeships with a range of awareness-raising activities and events at the College campus and beyond. Principal Phil Frier is among a range of local figures who has agreed to go ‘Back to the Floor’ to gain an insight into an apprentice’s working life, spending time with a catering apprentice at The Ginger Dog pub/restaurant and a hairdressing apprentice at Peewees salon.

Meanwhile, editor of The Argus Michael Beard has been put through his paces by City College boxing apprentices while local MP Simon Kirby has been shadowing an apprentice chef at Hotel Seattle in Brighton Marina. Also this week, John Barradell, the Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council, will be working with apprentices at Maintenance/Social Housing repairs firm Mears and National Apprenticeship Service Account Manager Gavin Graham will be shadowing a professional cookery apprentice at Real Pattiserie.

"I never cease to be amazed by how enthusiastic and talented our young apprentices are”, said Phil Frier. "Their willingness to work long hours is really impressive and they bring such fresh new ideas to any business. Back to the Floor has also been an inspiring experience when I see how committed the apprentices' employers are to supporting the apprenticeship framework."

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to enter the job market and to get hands-on training in a proper working environment”, said Simon Kirby MP. “Getting involved in ‘Back to the Floor’ has really made me want to look into taking on a Business Administration apprentice who could gain valuable experience in both my constituency office and my office in Westminster.”

“I think it’s important to support apprenticeships because they are the future of our industry”, said Ben McKellar, Proprietor of Gingerman Chain of Restaurants. “I would rather have a hand in an apprentice’s development from the outset rather than try to change their philosophy later on.”

“Because of the flexibility there is now, apprenticeships are an amazing start for people of different ages, not just school-leavers and also learners can move along at their own pace”, said Tracey Prescott, General Manager of Peewees. “For Peewees in particular, it’s good for us to support local youth employment. Taking on apprentices has helped us immensely and we get apprentices who progress into permanent roles and stay with us a long time. Having the direct link with City College is also good for our reputation too as it shows we’ve got high quality support when it comes to delivering these apprenticeships.”

For employers who’ve been thinking about taking on an apprentice of their own, City College is holding an Open Event at 6pm on Tuesday 7th February at The Gallery Restaurant on Whitecross Street, Brighton where all questions can be answered.

To contact City College’s Apprenticeship Team, call 01273 667756 (Option 1), email apprenticeship@ccb.ac.uk or see www.ccb.ac.uk

For City College media enquiries, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk

Photo: Phil Frier and Elliot Taylor at Ginger Dog