Apprentices invited to celebrate at Graduation Ceremony

Completing an apprenticeship is a major milestone – and successful apprentices from across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are being invited to celebrate their achievements at a special event in July.

Apprentices will have the opportunity to dress in an academic gown and cap, receive a certificate and holder, and celebrate with their families, friends and employers over afternoon tea at a special Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony at Stafford’s County Showground on Wednesday July 19 at 2pm.

This is the third year that Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire has staged a graduation ceremony. The two previous events were attended by a total of 280 apprentices, who had achieved qualifications ranging from Level 3 to Level 6, equivalent to degree standard. And organisers are hoping for an even bigger turn-out this year, as more and more people locally are undertaking apprenticeships to enhance their skills and employability.

This July’s event will be introduced by David Frost CBE, chairman of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, and the guest speakers will be Staffordshire University vice chancellor Professor Liz Barnes and Darryl Eyers, Staffordshire County Council’s director for economy, infrastructure and skills.

David Frost commented: “Encouraging people to take up apprenticeships is a key part of our strategy to bring more and better jobs, economic growth and prosperity to our region. The apprenticeships system gives local businesses a great opportunity to grow their own talented and skilled workforce by providing training tailored to their needs.

“It is right to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our apprentices and the contribution they are making to local businesses and communities with this special event.

“The graduation ceremony is also a great showcase to raise the profile of apprenticeships and the career paths that they can open up for people in all walks of life.”

More specialised and highly-skilled apprenticeships are being offered each year, giving individuals the chance to continue their professional development and fully realise their potential, up to Higher Apprenticeships. These are available at a range of levels, from the equivalent of a foundation degree to a bachelor’s degree and even master’s degree level in some sectors.

This year’s graduation is open to Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire apprentices who have successfully completed a level of their training since June 2016.

Apprentices can register for the ceremony by visiting www.GraduationCeremony.co.uk and selecting Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Apprenticeship Graduation on the drop-down menu to register their details, order their graduation gown and book tickets for guests to attend.

For further information please email apprenticeship.graduation@staffordshire.gov.uk or send a message to Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Graduation Ceremony Facebook page. Businesses interested in sponsoring the graduation ceremony can also email the above address.