Plymouth students secure apprenticeships with city's biggest employers

UTC Plymouth is celebrating after an impressive number of students secured apprenticeships with some of the city’s biggest employers including Wrigley’s, Babcock and Princess Yachts.

A total of 20 students from Years 11 to 13 were successful in securing an apprenticeship, many of which will start in September 2015, with a further 11 students moving onto higher education and university. After completing their studies at UTC Plymouth, this year’s students mark the first set of graduates from UTC Plymouth since the college opened in 2013.

One of Plymouth’s biggest employers, Babcock, will take six UTC Plymouth students ranging from 16 to 18 years old. The Devonport-based employer offers apprenticeships to become mechanical fitters, electrical fitters and fabricators.

16 year-old UTC Plymouth student Connor Jasper spoke about his upcoming apprenticeship with Babcock: “To be taken on by one of the leading marine-led employers in Plymouth at just 16 was a great way to finish my time at UTC Plymouth. Studying at UTC Plymouth allowed me to get the hands-on experience I needed to achieve this apprenticeship and to be chosen as one of seven students from UTC Plymouth is amazing.”

Nigel Jasper, Connor’s father, was delighted with the education his son received at UTC Plymouth: “With only a finite number of true engineering apprenticeships available in the local area, I wanted to make sure my son was in the best position to secure one of these. I made a leap of faith and got him to join UTC Plymouth for his GCSEs.

“Connor has now been offered an apprenticeship at Babcock, and I can honestly say that would not have been the case had he stayed at his previous school. The staff and the college have delivered an education which puts their students above the rest for engineering and employability.”

Chris Tomkins, Director and General Manager of Babcock Devonport, explained the importance of STEM subjects: “It is vital that we continue to encourage and produce the next generation of engineers to support and grow our industry. UTC Plymouth’s focus on STEM based subjects helps to spark that enthusiasm and ready students for rewarding careers when they leave secondary education. Babcock is pleased to welcome six UTC students onto our 2015 Engineering Apprenticeship programme at Devonport.”

Other Babcock apprentices included Luke Stannard from Year 13, James Kitt and Oliver Plummer from Year 12 and Leta Crisp, Charlotte Hooper and Toby Dawson from Year 11.

A further two UTC Plymouth students have been offered an apprenticeship with Wrigley’s. Alex Wilkinson and Oliver Pile will spend a year working with Wrigley’s team to gain a deep insight into how a major engineering and manufacturing business works. The pair were selected as two of only nine apprentices this year, having been chosen from some 90 applications.

Dominic Jenkins, Engineering Manager at Wrigley’s, spoke about the apprentices from UTC Plymouth: “The relationship that has developed between UTC Plymouth and The Wrigley Company has been valuable for both ourselves and the students that we have met. The fantastic facilities and culture at the college have given these young adults an opportunity to learn and grow and this has resulted in us being able to start to recruit the next generation of talented associates into our business.”

Students also secured apprenticeships with the Ministry of Defence, Princess Yachts, Barratt Homes, Pipex and more.

Mary Cox, Principal of UTC Plymouth, was delighted with the students’ success: “To have so many students being accepted for apprenticeships this year was absolutely incredible and we’re so proud of all of them. We’ve had students be accepted to some of the biggest employers in Plymouth and the South West. It’s an amazing achievement for them and we’re delighted to have helped them on their journey.

“At UTC Plymouth, we’re invested in ensuring that each one of our students receives the education and experience they need to strive in industry. To have so many of our graduates continue their engineering education at such prestigious companies shows that we are able to give them both the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to be head and shoulders above the rest.

“We are all immensely proud of our students and we’re looking forward to meeting the new students starting their journey with us in September 2015.”

UTC Plymouth offers students an engineering-focused educational experience, teaching them all they need to know to succeed in the world of industry. With a focus on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects, UTC Plymouth combines hands-on learning in their state-of-the-art workshops with the national curriculum.

For more information about UTC Plymouth and to find out about their next Open Day on Friday 21st August, visit www.utcplymouth.org.