Have a Go - Apprenticeship Week at SERC

Would-be apprentices are invited to South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) Information and Apprenticeships - Have a Go Sessions from 4.30 – 7.00pm on Tuesday 4 February (Bangor and Newtownards Campuses) and Thursday 6 February (Downpatrick and Lisburn Campuses) during Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week.

Led by the Department for the Economy (DfE) NI Apprenticeship Week (3 – 7 February 2025), now in its 5th year, showcases what you can do and how to get started with an apprenticeship.

Victoria Boyd, Head of Training Programmes & Apprenticeships at SERC said, “Our Apprenticeships – Have a Go Sessions will include visits to workshops to see the facilities and gather information for a range of Level 2, Level 3 and Higher-Level Apprenticeships offered. Would-be apprentices of all ages will have the opportunity to learn more about available opportunities in a wide range of sectors including accountancy, air conditioning, fire and security, wall and floor tiling, professional cookery, land-based engineering, health and social care, motor vehicle, construction, engineering, electrical, hairdressing, cloud computing technologies and leadership for children’s care.”

As particular apprenticeships run from different SERC Campuses, visitors are invited to check the events listings for the Have a Go Sessions on our website in advance of their visit.  

Victoria added, “SERC currently have 1,440 Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices and 275 Higher Level apprentices completing their qualifications.

“Apprentices are employed from the start and earn whilst they learn, so there is no debt or student loan to pay off at the end of the apprenticeship.   They work alongside experienced staff in the workplace and build on their skills and experience each and every day, spending up to four days in the workplace and one day in college for study related to their apprenticeship.  SERC also offer a range of work-based apprenticeships where learners’ study without coming to college.  Our trainer assessors deliver these programmes within the workplace, one-to-one or in small groups.”

During the week, SERC will be posting features on apprentices from a range of subject areas and at different levels on our website and social media platforms, including:

Victoria McIlroy (19) from Portaferry, a Level 3 Electrical Installation ApprenticeNI employed by Irwins said, “I came along to a SERC Open Day and I settled on Electrical Installation after speaking to the tutors and seeing the facilities.”

She added, “I was very shy when I started my apprenticeship, but the combination of learning on the job, being out and about with work, and then back in college one day a week means you are meeting different people and in different situations every day.   No two days are the same, so the apprenticeship route has really brought me out of my shell.”

Joshua Orr (20) from Newtownards, is a Level 3 Bricklaying ApprenticeNI employed by Jem Chamos Bricklaying. Joshua said, “I would recommend the apprenticeship route.   It is good for anyone who wants to progress but is not keen on the academic route.   Getting an employer to take you on can be competitive. You are employed - you are in a real job where you are learning as you gain your qualifications - so you must be dedicated.”