SCORES of students attended the annual apprenticeships fair last week.

The 2024 Salisbury Appren-T-Fest took place last Wednesday (January 24) jointly hosted by Salisbury Sixth Form College and Wiltshire College and University Centre.

Students, parents and teachers were able to talk to local employers about the great range of opportunities available to school and college leavers in Salisbury.

24 employers came along, many bringing current apprentices with them so that the young people could hear first hand what it’s like to start work at the business.

Salisbury Journal: L-R: Alison Samways, Swindon and Wiltshire Careers Hub; Andy North, Salisbury Chamber of Commerce; Nicky Miller, Salisbury Sixth Form College; Deb Narraway, Wiltshire College and University Centre; Simon Hedges, NFU Mutual; Maggie Fowler, Apprenticeships in Salisbury; Cllr Victoria Charleston; Neil Harris, Dstl; Cllr Ricky Rodgers; Jonathon Green, Moore South; Annette Holdsworth, Swindon and Wiltshire Careers Hub, and two of the GoSkydive apprenticesL-R: Alison Samways, Swindon and Wiltshire Careers Hub; Andy North, Salisbury Chamber of Commerce; Nicky Miller, Salisbury Sixth Form College; Deb Narraway, Wiltshire College and University Centre; Simon Hedges, NFU Mutual; Maggie Fowler, Apprenticeships in Salisbury; Cllr Victoria Charleston; Neil Harris, Dstl; Cllr Ricky Rodgers; Jonathon Green, Moore South; Annette Holdsworth, Swindon and Wiltshire Careers Hub, and two of the GoSkydive apprentices (Image: Phil Golding)

The Year 10 groups also heard from Junior Saunders, an inspirational speaker who encouraged them to think about their career options.

Some of the employers took part in ‘Take Me On’ – a game show activity where they have to compete for members of the audience to vote to come to work for them!

Over the day about 1,000 young people attended and later 300 parents came to an evening session.

Maggie Fowler, from Apprenticeships in Salisbury said: “These kind of events are really important. There is so much choice for young people as they start their careers, but it’s so difficult to get information about what’s available locally.

"It was a real team effort to put on the fair and I’d like to thank everyone involved, the schools, the 2 host colleges, all the employers and the Swindon and Wiltshire Careers Hub.”