Last week Banbury Academy hosted a fantastic Apprenticeships and Careers in Science evening, giving students and parents the opportunity to find out all about Apprenticeships and other science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) career pathways. Working in partnership with the school, Mel Ringer of Oxfordshire Apprenticeships arranged for six inspirational local STEM employers and organisations to come to the school and talk about the opportunities they offer, routes into their field of work and the experience and skills students can be gaining now to help them forge a career in the sector.

Workshops were held by Banbury employers Prodrive and Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), as well as the Medical Research Council, Thames Valley Police, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Science Oxford.

Two of our amazing Apprenticeship Ambassadors Zoe and Kieran ran the JDE workshop, telling attendees all about their choices as students, roles as Apprentices and plans for the future, including gaining bachelor’s degrees in engineering as part of their Apprenticeships.

Sue Scarf, Human Resources Director at Prodrive said: “We have been a major employer in Banbury for the last 30 years and we believe it’s important that young people know that there are world-class engineering businesses on their doorstep looking for talented people who want a career either in motorsport or the advanced technology sector. Our aim is to provide students with a real insight into the career opportunities available and how to achieve their chosen career path.”

Apply for Engineering Apprenticeships at JDE until 16^th Feb: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeship/648526

Apply for a STEM Apprentice placement with Science Oxford until 28^th March: http://www.scienceoxford.com/schools/for-secondary-schools/stem-world-of-work

Contact us if you’re interested in running a similar event in your school, we’d love to help!