The College hosted Essex’s first ever Apprenticeship Fair on Monday 17 October.

Over 300 people flocked through the doors of the new University Centre building to talk to local employers and training providers from a range of sectors, who had been invited to attend.

People of all ages had the opportunity to talk directly with employers as well as former and current apprentices, to ask them anything and everything to do with apprenticeships, and there was always a buzz around the many stands.

There was also the chance to see Harlow College apprentices in action, giving practical demonstrations in areas ranging from engineering to IT and these proved popular all evening. Upstairs in the amazing new lecture theatre there were seminar sessions where employers and apprentices spoke with great insight and enthusiasm. One of these was Janet Murray, journalist and Guardian writer, who is the first freelance journalist to take on an apprentice. Janet was very enthusiastic about her apprentice, Rhian Jones, and couldn’t recommend highly enough to the captive audience the benefits of having an apprentice.

The event opened at 4pm and by 4.15pm the foyer, demonstration rooms and computer suite was packed, as Sue Young and local MP Rob Halfon made the opening speeches. One of the busiest areas was the ‘live’ vacancies board, where current and newly created jobs were posted.

The event proved extremely successful and we are already planning a range of activities to be held during National Apprenticeships Week in February 2012.