The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 59: February/March 2022 | Page 30

CELEBRATING NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK MEET TWO APPRENTICES BUILDING THEIR FUTURE IN WILTSHIRE
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

CELEBRATING NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK MEET TWO APPRENTICES BUILDING THEIR FUTURE IN WILTSHIRE

February sees the celebration of the 15th National Apprenticeship Week which aims to show how apprenticeships have a positive impact on individuals , businesses and the wider economy .
The awareness week runs from Monday 7th February to Sunday 13th February and the theme this year is ‘ build the future ’. Now more than ever that sentiment will resonate with those businesses looking for talent over the coming weeks and months . There are
over 1,200 events planned nationwide ( virtual and in-person ) to mark the week and to encourage employers to take on apprentices to ‘ train , retain and achieve ’. The hashtag for the week is # NAW2022 . Apprenticeships have long evolved beyond
being a route to a career for those who wanted to go into the trades . There are far more opportunities now for young people to either take an apprenticeship instead of continuing in full-time higher education or to take on a graduate apprenticeship .
As Swindon and Wiltshire does have challenges around recruitment and retention , especially in certain sectors , it ’ s apt to celebrate some of those young people in our community who have gone down this route .

Evie Rawlings

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The world at the moment wants both experience and qualifications . I have the qualifications yet not the experience and I wanted to address that .
Evie is a 22-year-old graduate who is completing an apprenticeship in content producing and marketing at Wiltshire College and working with IT solutions company Systemagic of Bradford On Avon . She ’ s working towards an NVQ Level 3 qualification to sit alongside her degree .
She graduated in film , tv and digital production from Bath Spa University and then faced the challenge of looking for work in a very competitive market .
“ It was hard to find employment using my skills immediately ,” she said . “ I saw the advertisement to work with Systemagic and felt it was a great stepping stone for me . The world at the moment wants both experience and qualifications . I have the qualifications yet not the experience and I wanted to address that .”
Since working with the team she ’ s produced many graphics and videos to show off the team , the talent and the day to day working of the Systemagic team .
Managing Director James Eades , said , “ Evie is a wonder when it comes to making video and we ’ re thrilled to have her as part of our team . She ’ s teaching us !”
Privately , Evie is also something of a TikTok influencer as she ’ s hugely into cars and the world of motoring . She shares her videos on the social media platform and , at time of writing , already has an audience of 23,000 .

If reading this online , click on the video click to play icon below and check out some of Evie ' s work . Robbie Climance

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I ' d say that an apprenticeship is hugely valuable and it worked for me as I didn ' t want to go into higher education .
Robbie is a social media and creative executive at digital marketing agency Smarter Media in Swindon . He completed his digital marketing apprenticeship with the team late in 2021 and now has a full-time role .
He is a former student of Bradon Forest School in Purton , did media production ( A level equivalent ) at Cirencester College and then chose an apprenticeship working with New College and has been part of the Smarter Media team for two years . “ I wanted to get out into the working world and start to learn how to use the skills I had in a real environment . It ’ s been fantastic for me . I started earning and I was constantly learning and was supported every day . The Smarter Media team stood by me and have nurtured me and I ’ m now thrilled to be employed full-time .
“ I feel more relaxed in my role , even though I ’ ve got targets to meet and I feel a real part of a dynamic and forward-thinking team . I love what I do and I ’ m still hungry to learn .”
Robbie feels there are many young people now who are seeing apprenticeships as a valuable route to a career .
“ I ’ d say that an apprenticeship is hugely valuable and it worked for me as I didn ’ t want to go into higher education . Anyone can go to university at any time . If you feel unsure about your future , then it ’ s worth considering apprenticeship options . I ’ d recommend it .”
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