Inspiring Apprentices

Inspiring Apprentices brings employers and students interested in apprenticeships and traineeships together. The activity is intended to educate and inspire young people about the possibilities of apprenticeships and traineeships. It enables a discussion about pathways after school to be raised and also aims to reduce the stigma around non-ATAR pathways.

Inspiring Apprentices involves a career speed networking session, where volunteers rotate around tables with different student groups, and a mini-expo for employers to showcase their pathways and opportunities.

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Inspiring Apprentices pilot success

On the 25th of August 2017, Inspiring the Future Australia held a pilot event called Inspiring Apprentices, that sought to help students connect with potential employers and learn more about apprenticeships, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships from industry professionals and young apprentices. Over 100 students, teachers and volunteers attended the event at the Blacktown RSL, every table was crammed with chairs of eager students hearing about different industries and pathways. Representatives from the automotive industry, hospitality, construction, printing and design, metals and engineering, electrical and plumbing, hair and beauty, business services and school-based apprenticeships. Students who attended were from a variety of schools in and around the Western Sydney area and were selected to attend due to their interest in a particular industry or interest in alternative pathways in general.

Overall the event was a huge success, with 100% of teachers and volunteers believing it was a good opportunity to inspire young people. Even better, 87% of students said that the event gave them increased confidence about their future. The event was done in a speed career networking format, where volunteers rotated around the room speaking to different groups of students from Year 9 – Year 12. Following this activity students had the opportunity to talk to presenters that interested them through a mini-career expo. This enabled students to get different information and advice that was relevant to them personally.

83% of students who attended said the event provided useful information to help them decide their next steps after school. This wonderful response reinforces the value of Inspiring the Future as a whole, at inspiring and empowering students around Australia to make educated and informed choices about their futures. The passion and enthusiasm of the volunteers to share their experience of careers and their industry was commendable to see, as they eagerly answered student questions and asked them questions in return.

We want to express our thanks to Apprenticeships Are Us, Hospitality Training Network, Master Builders Association, Signarama, MIGAS, Hix Electrical and Data Services, Hair & Beauty Australia, NSW Department of Education and TAFE for being a part of the wonderful day and giving up their valuable time to inspire and inform students.