AS PART of the sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week, The Skills Junction in Winsford hosted an open day to give people the chance to visit the centre and see what apprenticeship opportunities were available.

Employers were also invited to see how the Skills Junction supports them in employing an apprentice and the benefits of doing so. This was one of hundreds of events and activities taking place across England.

Throughout the week, training officers from the Skills Junction stepped into the shoes of an apprentice, becoming an Apprentice For The Day.

They worked with local employers in a subject area which was unfamiliar to them. This allowed them to fully appreciate how an apprentice feels on their first day at work.

Participating employers included Winsford-based Kiddie Care Day Nursery, Meadowbank Lodge, KC Autos, Auto Industry Training Limited and Curtain Magic in Northwich.

Retail management and team leading training officer, Helen Howarth, joined KC Autos in Winsford, and worked on various stages of repairing car body work.

Workshop controller Steve Ward said: “Helen was very engaging; she carried out all the tasks that were requested of her and she made a great effort to fit into the environment.”

Paint technician Russell Brookes said: “Helen was very keen to learn and worked very hard. She was a pleasure to teach and she carried out all work she was requested to do and did it very well. We were pleased to be part of this project and Helen was a pleasure to work with.”

Kathryn Clarke, business administration and customer service training officer at the Skills Junction, joined Winsford-based Kiddicare Day Nursery.

Manager Clare Dell said: “We really enjoyed having Kathryn as an apprentice for the day. She joined in with the activities and interacted well with the children. She worked in both the baby room and the pre-school room with children aged from three months to four years. She helped the staff and children tidy up at the end of the day.

“We found Kathryn really approachable, friendly and very well presented, we would definitely give her a job. This was a great project to participate in and we will be more than happy to take part in this again.”

The Skills Junction are looking for 16–18-year-olds interested in apprenticeships, they have a number of current opportunities including:

Two business administration apprenticeship vacancies in Chester

One customer service apprenticeship vacancy in Northwich

One business administration apprenticeship vacancy in Northwich

One business administration apprenticeship vacancy in Winsford

One childcare apprenticeship vacancy in Sandbach.

New opportunities are posted on the Skills Junction facebook page and twitter.

Cheshire West and Chester Cllr Herbert Manley, executive member for prosperity, said: “There is no better way to appreciate the value of apprenticeships than to have actually experienced them.

“It’s very encouraging that the Skills Junction had such a good response from our local businesses. I would encourage any job seeker to contact the Skills Junction to discuss their training and job opportunities.”

The Skills Junction has been delivering training and support to Cheshire residents for more than 25 years.

Based in Winsford, the Skills Junction works with employers, schools and learners, offering a wide range of vocational qualifications and apprenticeships.

The Skills Junction has a new website www.theskillsjunction.co.uk and can be found on Twitter and Facebook.

For more information contact the Skills Junction on 01606 288901