Futures and EMCCA Host Apprenticeship Careers Event in Mansfield

Last month, Futures and the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce and Apprenticeships (EMCCA) hosted an inspiring Apprenticeship and Technical Education Careers Event at Mansfield Town Football Club, welcoming young people and their families to explore alternative career pathways beyond traditional education.

The event featured keynote speeches from Mayor Andy Abrahams and Apprenticeship Ambassador Alonzo Simpson, who both emphasised the importance of accessible career pathways and the value of apprenticeships in today’s job market.

The event was a great opportunity to motivate the parents and young people who attended, whilst also helping the employers uplift and showcase their apprenticeship offers.

Families from Mansfield and surrounding areas were treated to a complimentary hot meal and had the chance to engage directly with a wide range of employers and education providers.

Among those in attendance were Barclays, the Mining Remediation Authority, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS), Livepays, Dancop, Vision West Notts College, Nottingham Trent University, Miller Knight, Nottingham College, the National Careers Service, and Mansfield District Council (MDC).

Many of these organisations came prepared with active apprenticeship and education opportunities ,and were eager to connect with the next generation of talent.

“It was good to speak to young people who weren't aware of apprenticeship opportunities with us and to be able to direct them to our webpages. It’s always really useful to raise awareness of the range and diversity of our career pathways and apprenticeship opportunities.” Mansfield District Council

“We had lots of interest in our apprentice scheme and made some very useful connections. We were able to build our relationships and engage with young people interested in our area of work.” Miller Knight

“We were able to provide information and advice to those who may be interested in becoming a Firefighter - some for this recruitment cycle, others for future opportunities.” Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service

Young attendees described the event as “really useful, clear, and informative” with many saying it helped ease their concerns about the future. They appreciated the opportunity to speak directly with employers and gain a better understanding of how apprenticeships work and the variety of options available.

They also found the live Q&A helpful, as they were able to hear real stories from current apprentices at Livepays, West Notts College and the Mining Remediation Authory. They answered questions about the application process, how they balance working with learning, and how they feel becoming an apprentice has benefitted them.

The event was a resounding success, reinforcing the vital role that Futures and EMCCA play in supporting young people and their families as they navigate the transition from education to employment.

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